Foreign Ministry Seeks to Boost Local Products in Global Markets

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has renewed efforts to secure international markets for Ghanaian goods through its annual Made-in-Ghana Bazaar.

The 4th edition of the Bazaar was officially opened by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Gyakye Quayson, said the initiative is central to Ghana’s economic diplomacy drive, with the goal of boosting exports of non-traditional products such as processed cocoa, textiles, shea butter, beverages, and crafts.

“Our missions abroad are under clear instructions to promote Ghanaian products and create new opportunities for local businesses,” Quayson said. “Performance of Heads of Mission will partly be measured by their ability to increase the use and promotion of Made-in-Ghana products by at least 10%.”

The Ministry has already partnered with the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) to set up “Made-in-Ghana Corners” in 12 Ghanaian Missions abroad. According to Quayson, the plan is to expand these into full shops showcasing Ghanaian products in major international markets.

Trade intelligence gathered by Ghana’s Missions shows growing foreign demand for palm oil, cashew nuts, shea butter, cocoa products, textiles, and locally manufactured agricultural tools.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from companies such as GIHOC Distilleries, Kasapreko, and Joy Industries are also attracting interest, he emphasized.

The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister noted that Ghana’s diplomatic Missions have this year facilitated the participation of local businesses in more than 20 international trade and investment forums, yielding results in agribusiness, cosmetics, textiles, and handicrafts.

“We are consciously identifying markets for processed food, organic beauty products, and semi-processed agricultural exports,” he added. “These efforts are meant to generate foreign exchange, create jobs, and give our micro, small and medium enterprises access to global value chains.”

The Deputy Minister also disclosed that the government is formalising a Labour Export Programme to regulate the export of Ghanaian workers and ensure safer, legal pathways for employment abroad.

The Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Samson Ahi, said Ghana is preparing a comprehensive directory of Made-in-Ghana products to strengthen the visibility of local goods in international markets.

The directory, to be developed in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be distributed through Ghana’s diplomatic Missions abroad. It will list export-ready products and key trade information to connect local producers with foreign buyers.

“This initiative has the potential to significantly boost the accessibility of Ghanaian goods and services across global markets,” Ahi said. “With proper collaboration, the brochure will evolve into a strategic trade tool that responds to international demand trends and market-entry opportunities.”

Ahi stressed that economic diplomacy must be anchored in strong trade diplomacy, which gives Ghanaian producers access to new markets and builds the partnerships needed for growth.

“The Made-in-Ghana Bazaar embodies this principle by bringing trade diplomacy and trade policy together to advance our export and industrial transformation agenda,” he noted.

The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MOTAI), he explained, will contribute market intelligence and export performance data to ensure the new trade directory serves as more than a catalogue, but rather a purposeful tool for positioning Ghanaian products globally.

The Bazaar, which runs for three days, also features an exhibitors’ forum focused on challenges faced by small businesses, including certification, access to finance, packaging, and export regulations.

Source: Starrfm.com.gh