Ghana is aggressively moving away from its dependence on primary commodities, as Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) now account for approximately 60% of the nation’s total merchandise exports.
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, disclosed this during the official launch of the 2025 Non-Traditional Export Report at the African Trade House. The Minister described the report as a “compass” for the nation’s economic future, emphasizing that diversification is no longer a policy preference but a national necessity.
Breaking the “Three-Commodity” Dependency
Addressing industry players and investors, the Minister highlighted the inherent risks of Ghana’s traditional reliance on gold, crude oil, and cocoa. As recently as 2023, these three sectors generated over 70% of total merchandise export revenue, leaving the economy “vulnerable to price volatility, exchange rate pressures, and shocks beyond our control.”
”If you see what cocoa is doing to us right now, you see the need to diversify,” she remarked, pointing to the current volatility in the cocoa sector as a catalyst for change. “Non-traditional exports are therefore not a side issue at all in our trade policy. They are central to the work of economic transformation.”
Regional Expansion and AfCFTA
The 2025 report reveals a significant footprint within the continent, with Africa accounting for 30.36% of total NTE earnings. A substantial portion of this trade is driven by the ECOWAS sub-region.
The Minister noted that while these figures are encouraging, market access alone is insufficient. She stressed that Ghanaian firms must prioritize consistency, rigorous standards, and working capital to remain competitive under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
”Access to a market does not by itself secure export growth,” she cautioned. “Firms must be able to produce consistently. They must meet standards and public institutions must respond openly to the needs of businesses.”
Strengthening the Value Chain
A key highlight of the address was the focus on “patient capital” and the integration of agriculture with industry. The Minister called on financial institutions to provide funding that understands production cycles rather than seeking quick returns.
Through the industry program FEED, the government aims to strengthen the supply base for factories to ensure they have dependable access to raw materials in the right quantity and quality.
”Economies that process more of what they produce, retain more value, create more jobs, and build stronger productive capacity,” the Minister stated, urging manufacturers to deepen value addition.
A Call to Action
Commending the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) for its stewardship, the Minister reminded exporters that their work forms the “economic backbone” of the nation.
”Every contract secured, every new market entered, every shipment completed, and every standard met translates directly into foreign exchange earning, industrial activity, and jobs for our good people,” she concluded.
The 2025 NTE Report is expected to serve as a strategic guide for the Ministry, GEPA, and the Ghana Exim Bank as they work to resolve institutional delays and improve industrial competitiveness on the global stage.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
