Leverage Canton Fair for exports - Ambassador Kojo Bonsu urges Ghanaian firms

Ghana's Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, has called on Ghanaian manufacturers to increase their participation in the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), urging businesses to use the platform to promote locally processed products instead of relying on raw commodity exports.

The initiative forms part of efforts to deepen Ghana-China trade relations and aligns with Ghana's Critical Minerals Policy 2023, which promotes local processing and value addition before the export of strategic minerals.

The Ambassador made the call during a working visit to the China Foreign Trade Centre (CFTC) at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

According to Ambassador Bonsu, Ghana must take full advantage of China's zero-tariff policy for least-developed countries by increasing exports of value-added products.

"Beyond raw materials, which are already traded between Ghana and China, we must exhibit processed minerals, processed foods, ceramics, textiles, auto components, and other manufactured Ghanaian products," he said.

Ambassador Bonsu also appealed to the China Foreign Trade Centre to facilitate the participation of more Ghanaian companies in future editions of the fair, saying this would help local manufacturers expand into new export markets.

He stressed that the next phase of Ghana-China trade should focus on industrial products capable of competing on the global market rather than unprocessed commodities.

"The Canton Fair played a pivotal role in building China's industry. Ghanaian businesses must use the same platform to build ours. We cannot continue to export only raw materials and import finished goods," he stated.

As part of his visit, Ambassador Bonsu also toured Ceramics China 2026, where he held discussions with manufacturers on technology transfer, equipment supply, and opportunities to strengthen Ghana's industrial sector.

ANAS/MA