Atwima Kwanwoma DCE Engages Extra Comfort Foam, Pledges Support for Local Businesses
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Kwanwoma, Hon. Grace Agyemang Asamoah, has reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting local businesses as a strategic pillar for economic growth, employment creation, and sustainable development within the district.
Hon. Agyemang Asamoah gave the assurance during a working visit to Extra Comfort Foam Limited as part of her ongoing engagement with businesses operating in the district. The initiative aims to strengthen public–private partnerships, identify challenges confronting enterprises, and deepen collaboration to accelerate local economic development.
Welcoming the DCE and her delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of Extra Comfort Foam Limited, Nana Kwabena Appiah—who is also the Nkosuohemaa of Atwima Yabi—commended the Assembly for the visit, describing it as a significant step towards understanding the operational realities of indigenous industries.
During the engagement, Nana Kwabena Appiah highlighted key challenges facing the local foam manufacturing industry, particularly what he described as unfair competition from substandard products on the market. He alleged that some foreign operators are producing mattresses using plastic waste and selling them at extremely low prices, a situation he said has distorted competition and undermined local manufacturers.
According to him, such inferior products have captured nearly 75 per cent of the local foam market, leaving indigenous companies struggling to survive on the remaining share. He stressed that while competition is essential for business growth, it must be fair and based on established standards.
The Extra Comfort Foam CEO therefore called on the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to intensify its regulatory oversight and strictly enforce quality standards to protect consumers and support Ghanaian-owned businesses. He warned that the continued influx of substandard products could lead to the collapse of local industries, with negative implications for national development and youth employment.
Nana Kwabena Appiah also drew attention to infrastructural challenges affecting businesses within the district, particularly poor road networks. He appealed to government to ensure the payment of road contractors to enable them to return to site and complete stalled projects, explaining that bad roads increase operational costs and place undue pressure on vehicles used for industrial and commercial activities.
Hon. Grace Agyemang Asamoah acknowledged the concerns raised and assured management of Extra Comfort Foam of the Assembly’s readiness to engage relevant state institutions to address the challenges. She emphasized that the growth and sustainability of local businesses remain central to the district’s development agenda.
The DCE further noted that regular engagement with the private sector would continue to guide development planning and policy advocacy, stressing that a thriving business environment is essential to improving livelihoods and building a resilient local economy.
The visit underscores the Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly’s commitment to inclusive development and its resolve to create an enabling environment for businesses to flourish across the district.
