The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has reported an impressive 11.75% growth in Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) for the period from January to December 2023.
At a Minister’s Press Briefing in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Afua Asabea Asare I, announced that NTEs generated $3.944 billion, up from $3.531 billion in 2022.
Dr. Asare highlighted that the growth was primarily driven by products like iron and steel circles, rods and billets, which alone contributed $447.8 million.
Other strong performers included cocoa paste ($340.6 million), cashew nuts ($263.5 million) and cocoa butter ($241.3 million).
She noted that agri-business, manufactured goods, arts and crafts and services are the main contributors to NTEs, with agribusiness making up 12.56% of the total.
A significant factor in this growth is Ghana’s alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which accounted for $1.78 billion in NTE earnings in 2023.
“AfCFTA offers a tremendous opportunity for Ghana’s export sector and we are actively positioning local businesses to take advantage of this continental market,” Dr. Asare stated.
Additionally, GEPA is committed to empowering women in the export industry through its SheTrades Ghana Hub, aimed at helping women-led businesses access international markets.
In the agricultural sector, Dr. Asare emphasised efforts to expand Ghana’s export supply base.
She highlighted the Coconut Revitalisation Programme which has distributed one million disease-resistant coconut seedlings over 15,625 acres, with plans for an additional 500,000 seedlings by 2025.
This initiative is expected to create 350,000 jobs in the coconut value chain.
Dr. Afua Asabea Asare I also announced the significant strides her outfit is to foster youth involvement in the country’s export sector through its “Youth in Export” programme.
Dr. Asare said that the initiative is designed to empower the next generation of exporters and create sustainable employment opportunities for young Ghanaians, while providing them with hands-on experience and mentorship in various industries.
“The Youth in Export programme is a game-changer for our country. By investing in our youth, we are not only empowering them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed but also ensuring that Ghana’s export sector remains competitive on the global stage”, She said.
She explained that the programme offers a six-month intensive mentorship led by seasoned exporters. So far, two cohorts of young participants have successfully graduated from the programme.
“The first cohort, which focused on agribusiness, saw 20 young entrepreneurs launching their first exports, while the second cohort is expected to create more than 500 direct employment opportunities”, the CEO emphasised.
Dr. Asare mentioned that the upcoming third cohort will include participants from all regions of the country and across all sectors and it is expected to generate over 4,000 jobs for young Ghanaians.
These efforts, she added, are part of a broader plan to transform the youth into key players in the export industry.
She added that the Youth in Export initiative also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which provides new markets and opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to expand their reach across the continent.
“As Ghana positions itself as a key player in regional trade, GEPA’s focus on youth engagement is expected to be a vital pillar in achieving sustainable export growth”, the CEO stated.
