GEPA Conference to Support MMDCEs to Promote Potential Exportable Products - Upper East

A conference on the implementation of the National Export Strategy in relation to the One-District One-Export Product has been held in Bolgatanga.

The conference which was organized by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), is in preparation to identify, develop and promote exportable products to support the thirteen Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper East Region.

The Conference which brought together all the thirteen Municipal and District Chief Executives MMDCEs, including planning officers and Coordinating Directors.

The conference afforded stakeholders the opportunity to identify exportable product to be assisted by the GEPA for export. Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of GEPA, Mr Akilu Sayibu, explained that GEPA’s National Export Strategy and government’s vision is to make export the key driver to economic growth of the country.

Mr. Sayibu said the full implementation of the one-district–one-export product concept would help the GEPA and the country as a whole to achieve the set target of Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) worth US$10 billion in 4 years.

This he added seems quite ambitious and out of reach; but it is achievable. He urged all stakeholders to put their shoulders to the wheel to ensure it success.

Mr. Sayibu further indicated that, the perennial forex fluctuations are partly caused by the low volume and value of exports realized annually.

He emphasized that, the government’s flagship program of One-District-One-Factory will complement a stronger export base.

 

He stated that in line with the vision of the President and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, GEPA is currently undergoing certain structural and fundamental realignment to be able to handle the new responsibilities assigned to it.

He stated that as part of GEPA’s vision, regional and District offices would be opened to see to the full implementation of the one-district–one-export product concept.

He stressed that, GEPA will   strengthen its presence in the Upper East Region to be able to unearth the full export potential.

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Frank Fuseini Adongo, charged MMDCEs to take the project seriously adding that the region was endowed with a lot of potential exportable products including the Bolga basket, Sheanu and butter, smocks, leather products, wood carving, drums, boaba oil among others.

He stated, with the support of GEPA to add more values to the products, they would attract higher demand at the international market thereby contributing to the reduction of poverty and generating employment.

Among some of the potential export products identified by the MMDCEs include rice, soyabean, Sheanu and butter, butternuts, groundnuts, sesame.