Economist Dr. Joe Abbey is asking government to focus more on non-traditional exports to help address the expected drop in earnings from gold and cocoa. 

The World Bank in its latest report is warning Ghana of huge drop in export earnings as a result of falling prices of gold and cocoa.

The development has already affected revenue from these commodities. Meanwhile mining firms have been laying off some of their workers to manage the situation. 

Dr. Joe Abbey tells Joy Business concentrating on non-traditional exports could help address the expected challenge in the long term.

He however wants government to work on building the country's  reserves  and  reduce its spending in the short term.

“So there is no choice for us but to look at the factors that determine the quality and cost of producing in this country. Oil may save something for us now, but we need to go beyond oil and get to non-commodity-based thing.”

 The drop in prices of the commodities especially cocoa would also affect farmers who have  over  years depended heavily on the crop for their livelihood.