By Adnan Adams Mohammed
Ghana is deploying a coordinated economic strategy aimed at shifting the nation from raw material dependence to an export-led industrial economy.
The policy framework combines global capital sourcing at the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok with domestic trade platforms like the upcoming Ghana Export and SME Fair (GEXPO 2026) and targeted capacity building for local manufacturers.
At the center of the international push, Minister for Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is leading a Ghanaian delegation to the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, running from October 12 to 18. Joined by Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama and senior financial sector officials, the delegation is holding high-level discussions with development partners, international investors, and multilateral leaders to market Ghana’s economic reform agenda.
Following the successful completion of Ghana’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) review in July 2026, the country has transitioned to a 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) a non-financing IMF framework designed to signal fiscal discipline and safeguard recent macroeconomic gains.
Dr. Forson is using the summit to outline priorities for the government’s upcoming economic blueprint, scheduled to be formally presented in the 2027 Budget in November.
Speaking on the objective of the mission, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama emphasized that Ghana is focused on both bilateral program technicalities and broader structural reforms:
“Ghana will use the annual meetings to fine-tune the PCI and agree on key issues guiding its implementation. At the same time, we will work alongside our African partners to advance critical discussions on reforming the global financial architecture to better serve developing economies.”
Catalysing the Accelerated Export Agenda at Home
While state officials engage global lenders in Southeast Asia, domestic agencies are establishing operational frameworks to convert macroeconomic stability into commercial output.
Accra Markets & Expo Limited, in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Exim Bank, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), and the Federation of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), officially opened registration for the maiden Ghana Export and SME Fair (GEXPO 2026). Scheduled for November 18–22, 2026, at Black Star Square in Accra, the five-day commercial showcase will host over 500 indigenous enterprises, foreign trade missions, and international off-takers.
GEXPO 2026 serves as an operational execution vehicle for President John Dramani Mahama’s Accelerated Export Development Programme under the broader #ResettingGhana economic initiative. The program targets non-traditional export (NTE) growth across key sectors, including agro-processing, textiles and apparel, cosmetics, light manufacturing, and commercial services, leveraging trading channels under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Outlining the commercial focus of the trade event, Frederick Avornyo, Exhibitions and Project Manager at Accra Markets & Expo Ltd., explained:
“The five-day commercial showcase will bring together over 500 indigenous enterprises, multi-sector SMEs, foreign trade missions, institutional financiers, and international retail aggregators to position high-value ‘Made-in-Ghana’ goods and services for the global stage. The overall objective is to structurally transform Ghana from an import-dependent economy into a resilient, export-led manufacturing powerhouse.”
Strengthening Local Industry and Raw Material Chains
To ensure indigenous manufacturers can meet both domestic procurement needs and international export standards, domestic business groups are advocating for structural supply-chain support.
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has intensified engagements across the garment, textiles, and leather sectors, particularly following recent government directives prioritizing local sourcing for state security uniforms. However, industrial leaders stress that overcoming raw material import dependence and technical skill gaps remains essential for sustained market competitiveness.
Edwina Assan, Chairperson of AGI’s Garment, Textiles and Leather Sector, emphasized the necessity of structural interventions in training and input sourcing:
“We are looking at coming up with programmes that industry players can help with, supporting technical institutions in training workers. High input costs remain a key hurdle; it is only when we have our raw materials produced locally that we can produce at a cheaper price and be able to pay well.”
Adding a commercial perspective from the footwear and leather sector, Tonyi Senayah, Chief Executive Officer of Horseman Shoes, called for deliberate policy support to scale enterprise capacity ahead of any protective trade measures:
“What we are advocating for is that we start building the capacity of enterprises in the footwear and leather space, and we have to be intentional. Successful industrial economies built their sectors through deliberate policies and sustained support. By being intentional, we must build business capacity, develop practical skills, and guarantee real market access.”
Aligning Policy and Execution
The convergence of global capital mobilization, institutional export facilitation, and supply-chain development reflects a synchronized effort to strengthen Ghana’s commercial base. By combining fiscal stability under the IMF framework with targeted domestic production incentives, policymakers and industry leaders aim to build a competitive export economy capable of delivering long-term growth.
