In Ghana’s bid to boost its exports in cassava, fruits as well as cosmetics, a project dubbed “the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP)has been put together by the European,Union, the funding agency and implemented by UNIDO in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Speaking at its media briefing in Accra, the Chief Technical Advisor to the project, Mr. Charles Kwame Sackey revealed that, the key partners includes the Ghana Standard Authority, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Food and Drugs Board, National Board for Small Scales Industries and other supporting government agencies.
The overall objective of the WACOMP he indicated is to strengthen the export competitiveness of the Ghanaian economy through enhanced value-added, low carbon, sustainable production, processing and an increased access to regional and international markets.
Pointing out that, the project aims to improve the competitiveness of the Cassava, Fruits (mango and pineapple), Cosmetics and personal care products, by improving the quality of their products, exports and its integration into regional and global value chains.
Therefore reiterated to the fact that these sectors are in line with the priorities of the Ghanaian Government, and have a high potential for industrialization and job creation.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, the head of cooperation at the European Union (EU), Zoltan Agai, acknowledged that, during the year 2018, Ghana exported goods worth €3.1billion to the European Market.
According to him, Ghana has the smacks of the cordial business relationship with the oil production in West African nation into European countries.
The implementation of the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP), started 6 months ago that, there have been significant progress.
“Overall, Ghana has made significant progress over the last 20 years in terms of economic development and macroeconomic stability, he stated.
Noting that, the EU is one of the strongest trade partners of Ghana, since 2018, that Ghana have exported 3.1billion UEROS of goods to the EU market which is 48 per cent increase from the previous year.
Meanwhile the representative of the MOTI Minister, Chief Director of the Trade Ministry, Anthony Baafi on his part indicated that, government remains committed to the programme.
Voicing that, “I have no doubt in my mind that UNIDO will be able to deliver on its expectations based on its goo long track project record to deliver”.
Source: Ishmael Barfi
