Accra: Mr. Richard Asiedu, an Accountant at Hurry Hurry Enterprise, importers and distributors of toothpaste, has urged the government to invest in and promote local toothpaste production in Ghana. He advocated for the provision of subsidies on raw materials and incentives for manufacturers to encourage local production, enhance oral hygiene, and contribute to economic growth.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Asiedu explained in an interview that nearly all toothpaste brands available in the Ghanaian market are imported because importing is currently more cost-effective than producing them locally. He highlighted that the high cost of production within the country makes importing major products more economically viable than local manufacturing.
Mr. Asiedu emphasized that poor economies of scale, along with rising operational costs, deter businesses from venturing into local production. He further elaborated that companies looking to import toothpaste must navigate a series of regulatory requirements, including obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and registering with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA).
These regulatory hurdles, coupled with complex Customs procedures and foreign exchange volatility, impact the importation of goods like toothpaste. Mr. Asiedu appealed to the government to consider the interests of companies interested in local toothpaste production in policy formulation and implementation, noting that toothpaste is a vital oral hygiene product used daily in every household.
A market survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi revealed that popular toothpaste brands on the market include Pepsodent, Colgate, Dentoral Charcoal, Closeup, Longrich White Tea, Yazz, Kel, among others. Mr. Asiedu believes that investing in and promoting local toothpaste production could reduce unemployment, particularly among the youth, and boost Ghana's economy.
