Prof. Cletus Dordunoo, Chief Executive of Clayford Consultancy in Accra, has urged the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to play advocacy role and lobby the government to adopt sound economic policies for the industrial sector. This, he said, would help create more employment opportunities for the people and improve the economy. Prof. Dordunoo was addressing members of the Ashanti Regional branch of the AGI at a day’s seminar organized by the association in collaboration with the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund in Kumasi. It aimed at educating the members about research findings conducted by the association as a result of trade liberalization and its effect on food processing industries, wood industries as well as garments and textiles. He spoke about the vital role and contributions of industries towards the socio-economic development of the country and said Malaysia was able to achieve development through sound economic policies, hard work and commitment of the people. Prof. Dordunoo said most industries have not been able to achieve the desired impact because of high cost of raw materials, lack of capital and inadequate market. He advised the AGI to put in place effective measures to improve on the performances of the industrial sector to enable it become the engine of growth of the economy. He appealed to the government and other financial institutions to provide AGI members with loans to expand their businesses and stressed in the need for them to produce quality goods for both local consumption and also to meet international standards. Mr Kennedy Awuah–Gyawu, who is in-charge of the association in Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions, said the association has been concerned about the influx of imported products into the local market and that this is affecting local industries. Mr Kofi Gyasi, of the Business, Investment and Tourism Secretariat in the region, appealed to Ghanaians to patronize Made-in-Ghana goods to protect local industries. Source: GNA