WPO Packaging Technology Training to be held in Ghana
The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) has approved a number of Packaging Education Programmes around the world in 2020. The announcement was made at the just ended WPO Board meeting held in Bali, Indonesia during the 2019 Global Packaging Conference from 6-9 November. According to the President of WPO Mr. Pierre Pienaar, education is critical to achieving the WPO’s mission of “Better quality of life through better packaging for more people.
The 3-day Packaging Conference attracted delegates from more than 20 countries. The participants included packaging and supply chain professionals, designers, printers, manufacturers, brand owners, academics and chief executives. Some of the key topics discussed at the conference were global packaging challenges, smart packaging, sustainability trends in packaging and the role of packaging in minimizing food waste.
According to Emelia Adjei, Managing Director of Royal Crown Packaging Company Limited, who represented Ghana on behalf of the Institute of Packaging Ghana (IOPG), 4 countries in Africa including Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco will benefit from the WPO packaging training. Other beneficiary countries are Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Indonesia, and Bolivia. The purpose of WPO Packaging Technology Training Programme is to increase and develop professional knowledge and competency of Packaging Industry employees, other colleagues in related industries and university students.
IOPG is a member of the World Packaging Organization and has been promoting professional packaging practice in Ghana through the provision of training, advocacy, and business advisory services. In a reaction to the news about the training, the immediate past president of IOPG Mr. Kofi Essuman thanked WPO for approving the proposal for support because it is coming at a time when the management of packaging waste has become a topical issue in Ghana. According to Mr. Essuman an effective packaging system is a pre-requisite for trade and for fast-moving consumer goods, in particular, the package enhances the value of the product through attractive presentation and acts as a means of communication with consumers about its benefits. The up-coming packaging training will, therefore, rekindle the activities of IOPG as a focal point for packaging related matters in Ghana, provide professional packaging training and technical assistance to industry and students and strengthen the relationship with industry and academia to initiate the “Ghana Star” and “World Star” Packaging Awards for innovative packaging designs.
