The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has recorded a significant 11.75% growth in Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) for the period between January and December 2023.
She revealed that Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) earned the country $3.944 billion during this period, reflecting a rise from 2022’s $3.531 billion.
Dr. Asare explained that the growth was led by products such as iron and steel circles, rods, and billets, which topped the earnings list with $447.8 million. Other high-performing products included cocoa paste ($340.6 million), cashew nuts ($263.5 million), and cocoa butter ($241.3 million).
“Agribusiness, manufactured goods, arts and crafts, and services remain the major contributors to NTEs, with agribusiness accounting for 12.56% of the total”, She said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEPA, Osafohene Dr. Afua Asabea Asare I made the disclosure at the Minister’s Press Briefing in Accra yesterday.
She indicated that the key development driving this growth is Ghana’s strategic alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which accounted for $1.78 billion in NTE earnings in 2023.
“AfCFTA presents a huge opportunity for Ghana’s export industry, and we are working tirelessly to position local businesses to benefit from this single continental market”, the CEO stated.
In addition to these successes, GEPA is also making strides in supporting women in the export sector. Its flagship project, the SheTrades Ghana Hub, aims to empower women-led businesses.
“Our goal is to elevate women entrepreneurs by providing them with access to international markets,” Dr Asare added.
In the agricultural sector, the CEO mentioned that GEPA is actively working to expand Ghana’s export supply base.
She highlighted that the Coconut Revitalization Programme has already seen the distribution of one million disease-tolerant coconut seedlings across 15,625 acres. An additional 500,000 seedlings are expected to be distributed in 2025, with the programme anticipated to create 350,000 jobs along the coconut value chain.
“This is a crucial step in increasing the output of coconut and providing employment opportunities for many Ghanaians”, she noted.
Source: MOI (PR Unit)
