As part of efforts to support the handicrafts sector amidst the COVID-19 health crisis, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has donated assorted COVID-19 prevention items to bead makers in New Juabeng, in the Eastern Region.
The items, including hand-washing stations, nose masks and hand sanitizers, are expected to improve hygiene at the various production centres and markets as business activities gradually pick up.
Speaking in an interview with Citi Business News, the Deputy CEO of GEPA, Samuel Dentu, said the donation falls in line with the Authority’s mandate to assist industry stakeholders, especially producers, to enable them sustain their businesses and increase production.
He said similar donations have been made to various handicraft producer associations nationwide since the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease in Ghana.
Mr. Dentu said plans are far advanced to officially unveil the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS), which is expected to give a significant boost to Ghana’s export volumes.
He explained that the comprehensive document which was put together over a one-year period by industry stakeholders and signed by the Minister of Trade, Alan Kyerematen, is expected to be launched in September 2020.
He said NEDS is a private-sector-driven approach which presents more opportunities to build capacity of industry players to enable them take advantage of the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
He said the implementation of NEDS will lead to a quantum leap in export numbers, which will in turn boost Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He urged media organisations to support NEDS by partnering GEPA as it embarks on a campaign to educate the public about the initiative.