The Ghana Exports Promotion Authority (GEPA) has announced that Ghana recorded non-traditional exports (NTE) earnings of 3.83 billion dollars in 2024. This is a 2.87% dip in earnings recorded compared to 2023.

According to Chief Executive of GEPA, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, the decline is as a result of a reduction in exports of iron and steel to the ECOWAS region.

“In 2024, Ghana’s NTEs recorded earnings of $3.83 billion, reaching 152 countries, however, we registered encouraging gains in several other sectors,” he mentioned at the launch of the 2024 annual NTEs Statistics Report.

The manufacturing and semi-processed sectors contributed over 83% to total earnings. Of particular interest is the performance of cocoa paste, which grew by 35.54%, driven by robust demand from Europe and North America.

The authority noted that this highlights Ghana’s competitive edge in value-added cocoa products.

The Agricultural sector increased its contribution to 13.48%, while the Industrial Arts and Crafts sector recorded significant growth of nearly 23%, indicating a global appetite for Ghana’s creative and cultural exports.

Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Samson Ahi called on stakeholders in the various sectors to pursue value addition to help increase the country’s exports.

The authority also indicated that it will be implementing several measures to help in Ghana’s NTE, including supporting the implementation of the Accelerated Export Development Programme.