The Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB PLC), Edward Ato Sarpong has commended the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) for the sustained efforts in advancing non-traditional exports (NTEs), pledging deeper collaboration to enhance financial intermediation and accelerate economic transformation.
Edward Ato Sarpong made the statement after the official launch of the 2025 Non-Traditional Export Statistics Report, an event held at GEPA’s Headquarters on Friday, April 17, 2026, under the theme “Driving Economic Transformation Through Strategic Export Diversification.”
The ceremony brought together high-level stakeholders across government, financial institutions, and the private sector, underscoring the strategic importance of export diversification in strengthening Ghana’s macroeconomic resilience. The event was attended several government officials, captains of industry, members from the diplomatic community and other development partners.
The ADB MD praised GEPA’s consistent efforts in expanding Ghana’s export base beyond traditional commodities, indicating that such initiatives align with ADB’s development mandate. “The NTE sector has become a critical pillar of economic stability, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings and reducing vulnerability to external shocks,” he noted.
This observation echoes insights captured in the solidarity messages within the report, where NTEs were highlighted as accounting for a substantial share of export earnings and driving diversification across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
The ADB MD emphasized that Ghana’s progress in non-traditional exports reflects a deliberate policy shift towards value addition, industrialization, and market expansion. He further acknowledged GEPA’s role in building export capacity, facilitating market access, and promoting Ghanaian products globally. These efforts, he noted, “align strongly with the Bank’s broader agenda of fostering inclusive growth, regional integration, and sustainable industrial development across Africa.”
Reinforcing this position, Edward Ato Sarpong pledged financial and technical support to GEPA and its partners, particularly Exporters and Importers. This includes potential collaboration in export financing, infrastructure development, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the export value chain. The commitment signals a renewed partnership focused on unlocking Ghana’s export potential and positioning the country as a competitive player in global markets.
The ADB MD expressed confidence in Ghana’s export trajectory, noting that sustained collaboration between public institutions, development partners, and the private sector would be essential in achieving long-term success.
Edward Ato Sarpong reaffirmed the bank’s unwavering support for Ghana’s vision of building a resilient, diversified, and export-driven economy, noting that it was in line with ADB’s new corporate tagline, “Beyond Banking…” regarded as not just a tagline but a commitment to redefining banking, empowering businesses, building futures, driving prosperity, and nurturing communities.
