Mr James Gyakye Quayson, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has applauded Ghanaian producers for their innovation and resilience urging them to leverage government and diplomatic support to push Made-in-Ghana products into global markets.
Mr Quayson, speaking at the close of the 4th Made-in-Ghana Bazaar in Accra, described the three-day event as “transformative,” praising exhibitors for demonstrating that Made-in-Ghana was not merely a label, but “a mark of quality, innovation, and national pride.”
The three-day exhibition brought together Ghanaian producers, diplomats, trade experts, business associations and development partners at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Exhibits ranged from garments, textiles, footwear, handicrafts and cosmetics to processed foods, beverages and artefacts.
The Bazaar also featured cultural displays, live cooking demonstrations of Ghanaian cuisine, and business-to-business networking sessions.
The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister said the Bazaar, convened under the theme: “Championing Economic Diplomacy: Connecting Producers, Markets and Opportunities”, had once again demonstrated the power of economic diplomacy as a tool for industrial growth, export expansion, and job creation.
“To our exhibitors, you are the heart of this event. Your creativity, resilience and entrepreneurship are the driving forces behind Ghana’s economic transformation. You have shown that Made-in-Ghana is not just a brand; it is a symbol of quality and pride,” he said.
Mr Quayson expressed gratitude to institutions such as the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Free Zones Authority, the Bank of Ghana, Ghana Enterprises Agency, the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Association of Ghana Industries, and the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited for their continued collaboration in sustaining the Bazaar.
He also acknowledged media partners and sponsors for investing in the vision of promoting Ghanaian products, saying their contributions had been instrumental in making the event a success.
Mr Quayson said economic diplomacy must go beyond slogans and be anchored in deliberate trade diplomacy, which secures new markets, builds partnerships, and strengthens Ghana’s export-led transformation agenda.
He explained that the Bazaar was one of the clearest expressions of this principle, converging Ghana’s diplomatic outreach with industrial policy.
The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister encouraged exhibitors to strengthen associations and expand their visibility across the country, noting that several producers were limited to regional operations without national presence.
“We encourage you to form associations, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is here to hold your hand and assist you to make this a reality,” he said.
He assured businesses that Ghana’s Missions abroad would serve as partners in showcasing local products, citing a recent visit to Toronto where Ghanaian products had been exhibited at the Consulate.
“Nothing is stopping you from selling Made-in-Ghana products abroad. Even if you ship them to our embassies, they should be able to sell them. You make money, they make money, and Ghana’s products become more visible to the rest of the world,” he said.
Mr Quayson emphasised that government’s Resetting Agenda called for bold initiatives to reduce import dependence and expand exports, stressing that even a single product championed abroad could open doors to new opportunities.
The Deputy Minister said, “If every envoy promoted just one Ghanaian product during their duty tour, the impact on our export drive would be immense.”
He noted that Ghana’s Missions were already playing an active role in linking producers to buyers, identifying demand for palm oil, cocoa derivatives, shea butter, textiles, beverages and agricultural tools.
He said the Ministry was committed to expanding “Made-in-Ghana Corners” in Missions abroad, which would eventually develop into permanent shops showcasing Ghanaian products.
The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister said programmes such as the Accelerated Export Development Strategy, the Rapid Industrialisation for Jobs Initiative, and the Women in Trade and Agribusiness Programme were aligned with the goals of the Bazaar, ensuring that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) had access to finance, training, and markets.
He also pointed out that with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat based in Accra, Ghana was uniquely positioned to become a hub for intra-African trade and integration, and that Made-in-Ghana products must be positioned to take advantage of both regional and global value chains.
Mr Quayson said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working with the Ministry of Trade and other partners, would ensure that the gains of the Bazaar translated into sustained international opportunities for Ghanaian businesses.
“I am very hopeful that next year will be even more climaxing, with more products on display. Together, we can make Made-in-Ghana not only a source of national pride but a global reality,” he said.
Source: GNA
The post Deputy Foreign Minister pushes for global reach of Made-in-Ghana products appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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