In the spirit of promoting local innovation and economic self-reliance, GhanaThink Foundation has championed the #MadeInGhana movement, integrating it into our youth empowerment initiatives.
This campaign emphasizes the importance of quality goods, products, and services produced in Ghana, encouraging consumers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to prioritise and support homegrown offerings.
A key vehicle for this message has been the Konnect meetups, informal gatherings that bring people, products, and places together. These networking events are for catching up, hanging out, networking, discussions, etc, towards individual, community, and organisational actions.
Since March 2021, the third month of the year has focused on the #GhanaianDream and #MadeInGhana. Since 2023, the topic for these meetups all over Ghana has been “Quality #MadeInGhana Goods & Services”.
These have sparked conversations on how to elevate local production amid global competition. This was also inspired by the work of Citi FM and Channel One TV around Heritage Month.
Overview of the #MadeInGhana Campaign
GhanaThink, known for programs like Barcamp Ghana and Junior Camp Ghana, uses #MadeInGhana to foster patriotism and economic growth. The hashtag appears in many social media posts promoting local rice brands, textiles, bags, and more, often linked to broader themes of heritage and sustainability.
For instance, some highlight intentional support for Ghanaian products over imports, aligning with national efforts like National Fugu Day and exhibitions such as #ThisIsGhana.
The Konnect meetups serve as a platform to delve deeper, encouraging participants to reflect on quality standards, consumer choices, and entrepreneurial opportunities. These sessions tie into GhanaThink’s mission of building networks that inspire “more vim” among youth, with a focus on practical ways to boost local industries.
The March Konnect meetups are part of #GhanaMonth and #HeritageMonth celebrations, aiming to build awareness and accountability around supporting quality local goods. Social media posts around this showcase a coordinated push across cities, with calls to action for attendees to share experiences and commit to buying Ghanaian.
#MadeInGhana #AllOverGhana
The meetups have been held across Ghana, reflecting GhanaThink’s decentralized approach to engagement. For 2025, these were recorded:
- Accra: This was at Republic Bar, Osu, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 6-9 pm. This was tagged as #AccraKonnect. This happened at 1 of Ghana’s best nightlife attractions, named after the Republic, which also serves lots of special #MadeInGhana drinks like kokrokoo.
- Sunyani: This was at AB Location (opposite Florence Maternity Home) on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 6-8 pm. This was promoted under #SunyaniKonnect.
- Koforidua (Kofcity): This was at Pizzaman-Chickenman opposite Linda Dor on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 6-9 pm. This was labeled #KofcityKonnect.
- Kumasi: This was at Ike’s Cafe on March 29, 2025. This was tagged #KumasiKonnect, with a very festive atmosphere.
These and other events in Navrongo, Ho, Cape Coast, Takoradi, Wa, Bolgatanga, Kasoa, Tema, were simultaneous or back-to-back, amplifying the national conversation on #MadeInGhana. At each meetup, attendees were asked to share their favorite Quality Made-In-Ghana Goods & Services.
Key Personalities Involved in the Campaign
At the forefront of this campaign is Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco, #MightyAfrican), Director of GhanaThink, who actively promotes #MadeInGhana through personal advocacy and in organized events. His social media posts often call for intentional support of local products, such as suggesting GOIL shops dedicate space to Ghanaian rice brands like Aviella Rice, Kyidom Rice, and Evivi Rice.
Ato’s involvement extends to moderating discussions and sharing real-time insights, like during travels where he promotes Ghanaian wear abroad. Other key figures include other GhanaThink members (@GhanaThink) who coordinate and moderate the Konnect meetups based on their locations.
Elliot Akuna, Basil Kwame Gadawusu, Dora Ampaabeng, Rahinatu Haruna, Timothy Nsoh, Esther Danso, and Timothy Amuah have also been key. City-specific accounts, such as @BarcampSunyani and @BcKoforidua, have been instrumental in posting about these events on social media.
Sessions, Discussions, and Insights
While the meetups are discussion-based rather than featuring formal keynote speakers, facilitators from the GhanaThink network guide conversations. The participants share experiences. Here’s a synthesis based on available insights:
Discussions centered on strategies to prioritize local products, such as “How can we intentionally support #MadeInGhana goods against imports?” and “What role do consumers play in elevating quality standards?” Attendees discussed integrating local brands into everyday retail, like at provision shops or fuel stations.
Around these meetups, Ato emphasised, “We need to intentionally support our #MadeInGhana products, against imported ones.” He advocated for dedicated spaces for local goods, stating in a November 2025 tweet, “GOIL shops should have dedicated space for #MadeInGhana goods, including several #GhanaRice brands like #AviellaRice, #KyidomRice, #EviviRice, etc.” On broader impact, he noted, “Let’s build that #GhanaianDream,” encouraging help in suggesting quality products from all over Ghana.
In 2026, he posted on social media, tying this to national initiatives, asking if #FuguGate influenced National Fugu Day and promoting more #MadeInGhana integration, around #FuguFriday.
Other questions included “How to identify and promote high-quality #MadeInGhana items?” and “What challenges do local producers face?”. Insights from the participants stressed resilience and community support. These sessions fostered networking, with participants leaving inspired to patronize local brands.
The Impact and Future of the #MadeInGhana Campaign
Through these Konnect meetups, GhanaThink has galvanized youth to champion quality local goods, contributing to economic patriotism. As Ghana navigates manufacturing challenges, such initiatives build resilience. To engage, follow @GhanaThink, @Barcampghana, etc —supporting #MadeInGhana starts with connection.
