Davis Korboe
The President of the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), Davis Korboe, has called for a clear and robust policy framework to support Ghana’s export sector and agribusiness industry.
He pointed out that despite efforts by financial institutions such as EXIM Bank and the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL), the current support system is insufficient to absorb the economic shocks confronting exporters.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Ghana Horticulture Expo 2025, Mr. Korboe emphasised the need for a special purpose vehicle to cushion exporters, particularly within the agribusiness value chain. Without such targeted support, he warned, exporters will continue to struggle amid ongoing economic pressures.
The Horticulture Expo, scheduled to take place from June 11 to 13, 2025, under the theme “Innovate, Transform, Sustain: Driving Growth in Ghana’s Horticultural Sector,” aims to highlight the potential of horticulture to drive economic growth and attract investment.
“Our exporters are crying out; this is the time for our banks to step up. There should be a special purpose vehicle for exports and agribusiness in general. Once that happens, these shocks will be absorbed,” Mr. Korboe stated.
He also addressed the challenges surrounding the performance of the Ghanaian cedi against major foreign currencies, cautioning against a rushed approach to managing its value.
“There’s too much stress on the cedi, and that hurts our exports. There should be some allowance for depreciation, but it shouldn’t be done overnight. Stability is good, but we need to understand the difference between stability and appreciation,” he noted.
Mr. Korboe further highlighted the role of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) in consistently supporting horticultural stakeholders in accessing regional and global markets through participation in key international trade exhibitions.
GEPA, which partnered with FAGE to host the maiden Horti Expo in 2024, is once again collaborating with the federation for the second edition, recognising the sector’s vast potential.
The upcoming event will bring together producers, exporters, investors, researchers, and policymakers to explore strategies for innovation, sustainability, and market access in the horticulture sector. It will also highlight critical issues such as climate resilience, regional trade integration, and inclusive participation, particularly for women and youth.