Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Davies Narh Korboe with other stakeholders in a group photograph
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has urged Ghanaian exporters to prioritise compliance with global standards and quality requirements, as increasing production and processing alone cannot guarantee success for products in international markets.
Speaking at the opening of the 3rd Ghana Horticulture Expo in Accra, the Minister said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other market access arrangements provide significant opportunities for businesses, but producers must be ready to compete by delivering quality products consistently.
She said, “For exporters, increased production and processing will not be enough if Ghanaian products cannot enter and remain in competitive markets. Food safety, plant health requirements, traceability, certification, packaging, and quality standards, therefore, matter.”
The Minister explained that the Ministry was collaborating with key institutions, including the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and the Tree Crops Development Authority, to improve certification and testing systems.
The Minister noted that the theme for this year’s expo, “From Soil to Sovereignty: Building Ghana’s Agricultural Self-Reliance,” was significant because it reflected the country’s ambition to strengthen its agricultural value chain.
She added that agricultural self-reliance did not mean isolating Ghana from the global economy, but rather improving the country’s ability to feed itself, provide reliable raw materials for industries, process more agricultural products locally, and export competitive Ghanaian products.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare said her priority as the Minister responsible for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry was to strengthen the relationship between production, industry, and markets to ensure agricultural output supported industrial growth and created more value locally.
The President of the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), Davies Narh Korboe, for his part, called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, traditional authorities, and communities to transform the agricultural sector and position horticulture as a major driver of export growth.
He said agricultural transformation could not be achieved solely through policies developed in boardrooms and conference halls, but must extend to farms, communities, and the people who form the foundation of the country’s agricultural sector.
He explained that the ultimate goal of the federation was to transform farms into enterprises, commodities into finished products, products into trusted brands, and agricultural potential into national prosperity, noting that the country’s non-traditional export sector recorded a major milestone in 2025 exceeding $5 billion for the first time.
The FAGE President also urged government to continue strengthening the policy and investment environment for agriculture and exports while supporting agri-processing, value addition, market expansion, and inclusive enterprise development.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, mentioned that Ghana’s non-traditional exports growth was driven by strong performance across several sectors, particularly horticultural products, which recorded significant expansion during the period, stating that the impressive performance had placed Ghana firmly towards achieving its national target of generating $10 billion in non-traditional export revenue by 2030.
Mr. Arthur attributed the growth partly to GEPA’s participation in premium international trade associations and exhibitions, which had created opportunities for Ghanaian exporters to access global markets.
The three-day event, began on Wednesday, September 3, and ended on Saturday, September 5, 2026. It brought together industry leaders, farmers, processors, exporters, and other stakeholders in the horticulture value chain.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah