GEPA initiates programme to promote export
The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) intends to rake in $10 billion within the next four years through its export promotion drive to support the economic growth and development of the country.
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Consequently, the authority has developed a national export strategy to engage with all the 216 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the country for each one of them to come out with one exportable product to enable them to achieve the set target.
The initiative dubbed: “One-District, One-Exportable-Product” is aimed at developing a product peculiar to each of the MMDAs for export and also for job creation.
The initiative
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GEPA, Mr Akilu Sayibu, said this at a conference with MMDAs and other stakeholders on the implementation of the policy in Tamale.
Mr Sayibu noted that the initiative was a paradigm shift from an import-oriented country to an export-oriented one to generate more foreign exchange for the economic growth and development of the country.
He therefore called on the various MMDAs in the Northern Region to embrace the initiative by identifying and coming out with peculiar agricultural products that could be developed and promoted locally and for export.
Mr Sayibu said the GEPA was undergoing structural changes and fundamental realignment to be able to face emerging challenges in the sector.
Potential for agriculture
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Sa-eed, said the region was endowed with vast arable lands, sunshine and water bodies that could be harnessed for commercial agriculture.
He called on district coordinating directors to work closely with their various agricultural departments and planning units to ensure the successful implementation of the GEPA programme.