Ghana’s non-traditional export sector achieved a landmark milestone by surpassing the $5 billion mark for the first time, marking a significant boost in the country’s economic landscape. This breakthrough was propelled by a strong performance from processed and semi-processed products, which made up over 83 percent of total export earnings.
The surge represents a sharp increase from the previous year’s figures, signaling robust growth across value-added exports like cocoa derivatives—cocoa butter, paste, and powder—as well as agricultural commodities including cashew nuts, shea nuts, bananas, and yams. Europe remained Ghana’s largest trading partner, sustaining its dominance as a primary market for these goods.
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) convened an Exporters’ Forum where stakeholders from the trade and logistics sectors gathered to assess the export sector’s trajectory. Speakers urged exporters to maintain the high standards of compliance, innovation, and operational discipline that underpinned this record growth. Initiatives supporting the government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda played a key role in this progress, notably through the deployment of GSA officers at ports to expedite export clearance and tackle logistical bottlenecks.
The Ghana Export Promotion Authority’s Director of Research, Dr. Martin Akogtri, highlighted increased value addition and expanded market access as core drivers behind the performance. He emphasized that the resilience and adaptability of exporters remained vital to sustaining the momentum in non-traditional exports.
The forum underscored ongoing efforts to boost trade facilitation, reduce delays, and enhance the global competitiveness of Ghanaian products. These comprehensive measures aim not only to capitalize on current growth but also to secure sustainable expansion for the export sector in the coming years.