As the government seeks to increase non-traditional export value to US$25.3billion through its 10-year plan, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) is creating awareness among businesses and also educating them on how they can contribute to the national strategy.
“The government has developed a strategy that is being used to achieve substantial increasing non-traditional export value. It is a 10-year strategy, 2020 to 2029 – where the government wants to achieve about US$25.3billion and it involves everybody in this country,” said Francis Fosu Kwakye, the Ashanti regional manager of GEPA.
“We are doing this sensitization to create awareness at the district level and among the businesses. We have decided to go to the district level to reach the people and make them aware of the strategy and their contribution.”
The country’s non-traditional exports (NTEs) earnings increased from US$2.813 billion in 2018 to US$2.899 billion in 2019, representing an increase of 3.10%, according to the 2019 NTE statistics.
The value of the top ten non-traditional export commodities exported in 2021 amounted to US$316.53 million compared to US$273.44 million recorded for the same period in 2020.
Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) held a five-day school programme and exhibition in Kumasi on the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS) for exporters and small and medium enterprises (SME) under the theme, “Export Marketing Fundamentals,” educated aspiring exporters with the rules and regulations of exporting.
The move was intended to bring exporters and businesses in Kumasi up to speed with the strategies being adopted by GEPA to ensure the country’s non-traditional exports (NTEs).
It was also to match up with demands from the international market including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and to increase the US$25.3billion set target.
Grace Mimi Antwi-Asante, senior programmes officer, Capacity Building, National AfCFTA Coordination Office, reacting to Ghanaian traders’ capability of penetrating the AFCFTA market to contribute to the strategy, said small and medium scale enterprises have a high potential of penetrating the African market by leveraging on the AfCFTA if their financial documents are accurate.
“Documentation-wise, if SMEs and companies can have their books right, it will benefit them, because most companies actually have the capacity. All they need is certification to export, so yes I agree that some companies can export.”
She noted that the government under the National AfCFTA Coordination Office through a market expansion project is assisting SMEs and companies to export their products by assessing the export potential of the companies.
She also stated that the National AfCFTA Policy Framework and Action Plan has been established to improve Ghana’s trading prospects with the 43 member countries of the bloc.
The framework according to her, aims to maximize the benefits of the continental trade agreement by harmonising relevant policies, programs, laws, and regulations to boost the productive capacities of Ghana’s private sector.
Irene Pomaa Kumi
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