Mr Paul Walakira, technical expert in cosmetology, has called on members states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to develop a standardised regulation which will promote and facilitate the local cosmetics industry.
That, he explained, would enable African countries to grow the cosmetology industries, where members would sell their products not only in their countries but to other countries.
Mr Walakira was speaking at the Regional training and validation workshop on increasing export quality and competitiveness in the shea-based cosmetics sector in Africa.
He said the beauty products in Africa appeared to be growing but lack of harmonised standards, quality of products, and problem of conformity assessment and product certification were part of the challenges facing the industry.
“There is the need to support and push Africa industries to the global market, we need Africa to move forward, it is time we do everything possible to improve the cosmetic industry,” he stressed.
He touted ECOWAS countries as the best producers of shea butter found in most cosmetic products saying “our shea butter is known and liked across the globe due to its quality so all we need is to process and package it well.
“Women who are engaged in the cosmetic industries should be helped and strengthened at the institutional and organisational level, including entrepreneurship and innovative ways to market their products,” Mr Walakira said.
He called on African countries to promote and consume local products to develop the continent.
Senior Programme Manager, Regional Trade Component, TradeCom ll, Mr Riccardo Tintis said the TradeCom ll programme, is an European Union (EU)-funded African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) administered programme designed to support trade-related capacity needs in ACP countries.
He said activities executed under the programme were collectively geared towards the enhancement and export-readiness for women-led small cosmetics producers and exporters in West Africa.
Mr Tintis said his outfit would continue to support African industries to grow and meet international standards.
By Agnes Opoku Sarpong
