The Ghanaian government on Friday launched two innovative initiatives to boost exporters’ capacity and enhance the country’s export competitiveness.
The Accra Trade House and monthly Friday Market, launched by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), provide unique platforms for producers of non-traditional export products to showcase their goods to locals and foreigners.
GEPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur said the Friday Market would be held on the last Friday of each month to showcase locally made products such as shea butter and its derivative cosmetic products, cashew nuts, bananas, yam, cocoa derivatives, handicrafts, leather products, local carvings, straw bags, and other fashion items.
This platform provides opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to test their products, collate customer feedback, build business networks, and build their brands to the required global market standards, added Arthur.
Moreover, the CEO said the initiative would firm up efforts to build export capacity and complement Ghana’s trade fairs by connecting Ghanaian producers with international buyers and improving the visibility of high-quality made-in-Ghana products.
“The Accra Trade House provides a permanent marketplace that complements our trade fairs, buyer-seller engagements, and international market entry programs,” he said.
According to him, the trade house would be expanded to some Ghanaian missions abroad to broaden the reach of Made-in-Ghana products.
The maiden Friday Market brought together producers of Ghanaian fabrics, local beverages, leather and wood products, cocoa, shea and coffee derivatives, and fashion products, among others.