By Kizito CUDJOE
The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has urged the newly constituted governing board of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) to leverage its collective expertise to drive significant growth in the country’s export sector.
Speaking at the board’s inauguration in Accra, the minister emphasised the critical role of exports in stabilising the economy, generating foreign exchange and creating jobs.
“The ministry’s mandate is clear, we must boost our exports. Once we do, our foreign exchange position improves and we create more employment opportunities,” she said.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare stressed the importance of producing more goods locally to reduce import dependence while expanding the country’s footprint in international markets.
“Improving exports is also an indication that we are producing more for import substitution. We are not taking the export agenda lightly and I believe this board has the capacity to deliver,” she added.
She called on the board to work collaboratively with stakeholders across the value chain, including small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), to enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s non-traditional exports.
GEPA plays a key role in implementing Ghana’s National Export Development Strategy (NEDS), which aims to increase non-traditional export earnings to US$25.3billion by 2029.
She highlighted the 13-member board’s diverse composition, which includes representation from key institutions including the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others.
This, she said, is to ensure that there is ease of business.
The minister also commended BoG for extending the days for repatriation of export proceeds from 60 to 120 days, saying: “Since the BoG has a representative on this board, we expect smoother engagement and prompt resolution of regulatory matters,” she added.
According to the minister, President John Dramani Mahama has also set up an advisory committee on exports which he personally chairs, a sign of high-level political commitment to transforming the sector.
“This demonstrates the president’s intention to take Ghana’s export agenda to the next level,” she said. “Everyone we need to make exports thrive is on this board.”
She challenged the board to deliver tangible results within a year, stating: “We expect your stewardship to reflect in increased export volumes and improved export value”.
Chairperson of the GEPA Board and Member of Parliament for Wa East, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, assured the minister of the board’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate.
“We will strategically direct and mobilise the energy within GEPA to achieve the desired trade transformation,” he said.
Dr. Jasaw also highlighted the alignment between the board’s mandate and government’s 24-hour economy policy, noting the recent addition of agribusiness to the Trade Ministry’s portfolio as a step in the right direction.
“Our focus won’t be only on increased trade volumes but also on trade value, to ensure the expanded export sector translates into meaningful foreign exchange gains for the country,” he said.
The 13-member board includes Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Mr. Peter Nuhu, Mr. Mark Badu-Aboagye, Mr. Yussif Issaka Jajah, Dr. Philip Abradu-Otoo, Mr. Simon Madjie, Dr. Mrs. Jessica Aku Nkansah, Mr. Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Mr. Abu Osuman and Mrs. Joyce Boatemaa Akuamoah.
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