Unfair Competition Killing Local Foam Manufacturers – Extra Comfort Foam Boss Tells Government
The Chief Executive Officer of Extra Comfort Foam Limited, Nana Kwabena Appiah, has appealed to the Government of Ghana to take urgent steps to address what he describes as unfair competition that is crippling indigenous foam manufacturing companies across the country.
Nana Kwabena Appiah, who is also the Nkosuohemaa of Atwima Yabi, made the appeal during a working visit by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Kwanwoma, Hon. Grace Agyemang Asamoah, to the company. The visit formed part of the DCE’s ongoing engagement with businesses within the district to strengthen public–private partnerships and promote sustainable local economic development.
Speaking during the interaction, the Extra Comfort Foam CEO expressed concern over the influx of substandard mattresses on the Ghanaian market, alleging that some foreign operators are manufacturing foam products using plastic waste and selling them at unusually low prices. He noted that these practices have distorted competition within the industry and placed indigenous manufacturers at a severe disadvantage.
According to him, such inferior products have captured approximately 75 per cent of the local foam market, leaving Ghanaian-owned companies struggling to survive on the remaining share. He explained that the situation has made it increasingly difficult for local manufacturers to remain operational amid rising production costs and limited market access.
Nana Kwabena Appiah emphasized that while competition is a healthy and necessary component of business growth, it must be fair and guided by recognised standards. He therefore called on the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to intensify its regulatory oversight and enforce compliance with quality standards to sanitise the industry and protect consumers.
He warned that the continued dominance of substandard products could lead to the collapse of local foam manufacturing companies, with far-reaching consequences for national development. He added that the closure of indigenous firms would worsen youth unemployment and could potentially contribute to the rise in social vices and criminal activities.
Beyond the issue of competition, the Extra Comfort Foam CEO also highlighted infrastructural challenges affecting businesses, particularly poor road networks within parts of the Atwima Kwanwoma District. He appealed to government to ensure the timely payment of road contractors to enable them to return to site and complete stalled projects, noting that deteriorating roads increase operational costs and place undue pressure on vehicles used for industrial and commercial activities.
In her response, Hon. Grace Agyemang Asamoah acknowledged the concerns raised and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to working with relevant state institutions to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. She stressed that the survival and growth of local industries remain critical to the district’s development agenda and assured management of Extra Comfort Foam of continued engagement and collaboration.
The visit underscored the importance of effective regulation and strong public–private collaboration in safeguarding indigenous industries and promoting sustainable economic growth within the Atwima Kwanwoma District.
