Accra: Mr. Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, praised the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar as a pivotal driver of economic diplomacy and a strategic platform for bolstering exports. He emphasized the government's commitment to transforming Ghana into a globally competitive and export-led economy during his speech at the opening of the 4th Made-in-Ghana Bazaar in Accra. The annual event, which began in 2018 and has become a symbol of Ghanaian enterprise, continues to grow beyond showcasing local products.
According to Ghana News Agency, this year's Bazaar is themed "Championing Economic Diplomacy: Connecting Producers, Markets, and Opportunities" and spans three days. It brings together Ghanaian producers, foreign diplomats, trade experts, and business associations to exhibit products such as processed cocoa, shea butter, textiles, handicrafts, and value-added minerals. Mr. Ahi highlighted the importance of integrating trade promotion, investment facilitation, and advancing national economic interests on the global stage.
The Bazaar was initiated as a flagship program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has since been institutionalized as an annual event. Mr. Ahi underscored the necessity of anchoring economic diplomacy in deliberate trade diplomacy to unlock Ghana's potential. He emphasized the synergy between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry as vital for advancing the export and industrial transformation agenda.
A comprehensive brochure is being developed as part of this year's event, envisioned as a global directory of Made-in-Ghana products and export-related information, to be distributed through Ghana's Missions abroad. Mr. Ahi praised the collaborative efforts of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), and the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) for empowering local businesses to expand production and compete internationally.
The Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, called on Ghana's envoys to become frontline ambassadors for Made-in-Ghana goods, stressing the importance of exporting to avoid becoming an import-dependent economy. He encouraged the promotion of Ghanaian products such as kente and traditional clothing, backed by compelling narratives about their cultural symbolism, to achieve wider global appeal.
Foreign Minister Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described the Bazaar as an institutionalized tool of economic diplomacy and announced that the promotion of Made-in-Ghana goods is now part of the Key Performance Indicators for Heads of Mission. He highlighted various government programs aimed at creating jobs and expanding exports, revealing that 12 Ghana Missions abroad have already established Made-in-Ghana Corners in collaboration with GEXIM. Plans are in place to expand this concept globally.
Targeted market intelligence has identified rising international demand for Ghanaian products such as palm oil, cashew nuts, cocoa products, shea butter, textiles, and more. Reports from Missions in Africa and beyond have shown strong interest in products from companies like GIHOC Distilleries, Kasapreko, Joy Industries, and Crocodile Machetes Ghana.