Ghana eyes African markets for Gari, garments and local products

Ghana is positioning locally manufactured products, including gari and garments, to take advantage of growing opportunities in African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the country was working to establish stronger market connections for Ghanaian exporters and prepare more businesses to compete across the continent.

She said products made in Ghana had considerable potential in African markets, provided producers were supported to meet standards, build capacity and access the right markets.

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said this when the African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, H.E. Francisca Tatchoup Belobe, paid a courtesy call on her in Accra.

The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration between Ghana and the African Union and exploring practical measures to accelerate trade among African countries.

The Minister said government was undertaking training, capacity building and other support programmes to help Ghanaian businesses participate effectively in export markets.

She said particular attention was being given to women-owned enterprises to enable more women entrepreneurs to benefit from opportunities created under the AfCFTA.

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said expanding access to African markets would require more than producing quality goods, noting that businesses also needed stronger links to buyers and reliable information about market opportunities.

She said government was therefore working to create conditions that would enable Ghanaian exporters to connect their products to consumers and businesses across the continent.

The Minister added that government policies in pharmaceuticals, components manufacturing, textiles and garments, and agribusiness could complement the work of the AfCFTA Secretariat and support Ghana's efforts to increase its share of continental trade.

She said Ghana's position as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat placed a responsibility on the country to lead by example and demonstrate how African businesses could benefit from greater economic integration.