Message at the End of year (2007) party by the Managing Director, Frank Ayim Damptey

SPEECH PRESENTED BY FRANK AYIM DAMPTEY, MD/CEO OF TATA BEVERAGES COMPANY LIMITED AT THE FOURTH ANNUAL AWARDS AND END OF YEAR CEREMONY HELD AT GICEL HALL ON SATURDAY, 19TH JANUARY, 2008

In the art of life everybody must be a self starter.
We cannot wait for lucky breaks
We cannot demand our cheers in advance
To do so for the propitious moment when fate will smile on us
Is to court personal disaster

Mr. Chairperson, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I am extremely pleased that you have found time out of your tight and busy schedule to join us on this occasion.

The year under review was not all that rosy. But we trusted in our Lord who takes charge of every thing. Our words of inspiration were chosen from the Scriptures: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. “The Lord has thus brought us this far, and we are very grateful to him.

The company’s products, the One Touch Aromatic Bitters, the Tatapack and the Tropical Ginger Milk have made a great impact on the Ghanaian Market and to some extent, our sister countries in the Sub – region, particularly, Togo and Nigeria

The company has three products which are awaiting Certification by Food and Drugs Board for the production of carbonated soft drinks and Sunsum Dry Gin.

We hope to start construction of our modern industrial complex at Nsawam this year.

Last year was full of challenges, with increases in prices of almost all the raw materials used in production. Despite that, the company still maintains its prices to the satisfaction of its customers.

A visit to our market and supermarkets nowadays reveals a pathetic picture with display of foreign drinks on the shelves to the disadvantage of locally manufactured ones.

I still believe Government should protect local industries from the influence of products which are manufactured abroad. Our cost of production and the numerous taxes are very high making the prices of our products higher than the imported ones.

Our major problem is insufficient packaging materials; I am therefore using this medium to passionately appeal to Government to assist us in this regard.

Our products could compete favorably with foreign ones if we are given the necessary support and encouragement by Government.  We can then be able to create more jobs for the unemployed in the society.

We wish to acknowledge the support and assistance we continue to enjoy from SG-SSB, NIB, T.T. Brothers, and 2PAC, GICEL, Poly Products and KANEM Industries.

To the worker who stood by us through thick and thin, Management appreciates your invaluable contribution towards making the company what it is to day. We could not have been where we are this day, if you had not put in your best. May God bless you and cast your lot on fair grounds.

To all of you who are here to day, I say a very “Big Thank You”, May this be the beginning of a new and much friendlier relationship between you and Tata Beverages Company Ltd.

Enjoy yourselves and may the Almighty God richly bless you.
Thank you.