Ghana’s export industry now the envy of all West African countries – GEPA CEO Dr. Afua Asabea Asare
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Osafohene Dr. Afua Asabea Asare I has touted the achievements of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the area of export, insisting that it has been second to none.
Briefing the press about the successes chalked by GEPA under President Akufo-Addo’s administration, Dr. Afua Asabea Asare stated that Ghana has become the envy of all West African countries because of the continued growth in exports.
“Ghana’s non-traditional growth has been on a positive trajectory, we have been moving even during Covid when other African countries were going down, we dipped just a little by 4%. Before that, previously we have grown 10%. As I talk to you we have moved exports to 11.75%. Very unprecedented, it doesn’t even happen in other places.
“It’s happening in Ghana and I’m telling you that the export industry in Ghana is the envy of all the West African countries and their counterparts are sending in people to see how Ghana did it,” Osafohene Dr. Afua Asabea Asare I said.
During the briefing, she disclosed that the Ghana Export Promotion Authority 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 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.
Osafohene Dr. Afua Asabea Asare I further stressed that the Ghana Export Promotion Authority is not going to be complacent about the successes from the past year.
She has assured that the success will inspire GEPA to do more to grow Ghana’s exports.