The taskforce constituted by the Ghanaian Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) to exercise a check on imports of illegally copied Ghanaian textile prints has cautioned traders against the sale of pirated Ghanaian textile designs and trademarks, Ghana News Agency reported. Addressing a workshop on pirated textiles in Koforidua, capital of Eastern Region in south Ghana, attended by textile traders, Mr. Appiah Donyina, chairman of the MOTI taskforce, appealed to traders to buy only from accredited distributors of textile companies so that they get authentic fabrics. The workshop for textile traders was part of the Ministry's crusade against trade in pirated Ghanaian textiles. Mr. Donyina explained that the taskforce as well as MOTI was not against the sale of imported fabrics, but it was against the sale of only those fabrics that were not made in Ghana but have Ghanaian label, as well as those fabrics that have pirated Ghanaian designs.
He said that all fabric entering the country must come through the three designated entry points—the Kotoka International Airport and the Tema and Takoradi ports. He said the taskforce would take action on anyone found to be involved in sale of pirated Ghanaian textiles and advised the traders to not to sell such textiles, which may lead to the seizure of their goods. He informed that the taskforce has already destroyed 6,000 pieces of pirated fabrics. Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Abraham Koomson, general secretary of the Textile, Garment and Leather Employees Union of the Ghana Federation of Labour Union, said the flow of pirated textiles into the country has affected the operation of the local textile industry, and urged the traders to help the taskforce in finding out those involved in piracy-related activities. Mr. Esmond Arde Acquah, director of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), said most of the pirated textiles expose users to several dangers including cancer, and requested the traders to be careful with such textiles. 'Pirated' textiles are a major problem affecting the Ghanaian textile industry. The term is used to denote those textile products that are an imitation of traditional Ghanaian textile designs and are available at lower prices.
