Samson Ahi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, has called for stronger private sector support through concrete and actionable commitments to accelerate Ghana’s transformation into an export-led economy.

He made the call when policymakers, financiers, development partners, export credit agencies, and private sector representatives convened at an international conference organised by the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) to mark its 10th anniversary in Accra.

Ahi said concrete and actionable commitments were essential to addressing persistent barriers that hindered Ghanaian businesses from competing effectively on the global stage.

He noted that when Ghanaian businesses succeeded in producing, processing, meeting standards, and selling competitively, the benefits extended across the economy through increased incomes, stronger production, and improved national economic confidence.

Conversely, he said, when businesses struggled the effects were felt economy-wide in the form of reduced output, rising prices, and declining investor sentiment.

“At the end of these two days, we should not leave with only speeches and nice photographs, but with clear recommendations that can guide Ghana’s export economy – actionable, time-bound, and supported by the right partnerships,” he said.

Ahi stressed the need for access to appropriate trade and export finance structures for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), reduction in compliance costs associated with international trade standards, and improved efficiency in getting Ghanaian goods to export markets.

On financing, he urged stakeholders to explore how digital tools could strengthen export finance and improve risk assessment, as well as how blended finance and patient capital could unlock larger investments.

He also highlighted the need for workable collateral and risk-sharing mechanisms to enhance MSMEs’ access to support.

He emphasised that trade and industry should not be treated as separate policy areas, as the interconnection between production, standards compliance, market access, and finance would ensure that weaknesses in one area could not undermine the entire system.

Ahi said the Ministry had intensified engagement with key stakeholders across the trade and industry landscape to better understand and address challenges on the ground.

He also pointed to the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and product exhibitions at the conference as critical steps towards translating ideas into firm commitments and showcasing Ghanaian products.

He urged participants to work collaboratively to ensure the conference delivered tangible outcomes that would deepen export-led growth, create jobs, raise incomes, and build economic resilience.

“These discussions in priority value chains, including garments, rice and oil, are not academic; they reflect the real constraints and opportunities that will determine whether Ghana can build stronger value-added exports in the next phase,” he said.

Ahi reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with partner institutions and industry players to strengthen Ghana’s export economy and drive industrial transformation over the next decade.