The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. William Billy Williams has officially opened Billabong showroom to commence business operation in the country.
Billabong, a subsidiary of Woolworth Ghana, is an Australian youth apparel manufacturing company that designs and produces high quality, functional products for surfing, skateboarding, wakeboarding and snowboarding sports.
It has a long and distinguished history of leadership in the designs and distribution of sport ware and lifestyle industry and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment, providing sustainable products.
Mr. Williams at the ceremony in Accra expressed delight about Billabong’s entry into the country’s retail sports ware market, saying “the entry marks a wonderful development into the country’s business expansion programme which will help create jobs for the country’s youth.”
Billabong’s designs depict lifestyle which is synonymous with Australia’s culture.”
He stated that Australia is increasingly deepening its long term partnership with Ghana which is a deep rooted relationship that existed between the two countries.
“This reflects Australia’s commitment to broadening and deepening engagements with Ghana across a spectrum of issues including enhanced trade and commercial investments, strengthened diplomatic links and increased development assistance.
“We are partnering selected number of Ghanaian organisations who have successfully gone through a rigorous and competitive process to implement developmental projects," he said.
Australia government this year announced its development assistance to Africa by more than 40 per cent to 163.9 million Australian dollars in 2009/2010.
Mr. Williams said the grants project, namely the Direct Aid Programme, Africa Regional Small Activities Scheme and the Australian Human Rights Small Grants Scheme would be working in areas such as education, solar energy, provision of street lights, health, sanitation, assistance to women co-operatives and human rights advocacy groups.
Joe Ofori-Atta, Chief Executive Officer of Woolworth Ghana said the establishment will expose Ghanaian youth to the surfing sport and will offer jobs as well.
Ernest Bendeman, General Manager, Billabong South Africa indicated that the entry into the Ghanaian retail sector is a manifestation of the company’s determination to sustain its business relationship with its Ghanaian customers.
“Billabong is in the country for a long haul which would help create jobs for the youth and reduce unemployment situation,” he remarked.
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