GEPA diversifies to increase export of educational and health services

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Exports Promotion Authority, Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, has indicated that the Exports Promotion Authority has diversified its strategies towards the objective of ensuring Ghana taps into its full export potential.

Speaking as a co-panellist on the Eye on Port program on the State of Ghana’s Export and Free Zone Sectors amid COVID-19 Beleaguered Global Economy, the head of GEPA revealed that the export of the services sector is one that her outfit is currently seriously pursuing.

“We have introduced the services department at Ghana Exports Promotion Authority where we are diversifying into various areas to add to what we usually do. We started looking at the health sector- how to sell our health services on the international market especially the West African sub region. We are exporting our education sector. We are partnering with Tourism Authority and so on” The GEPA CEO enumerated.

She revealed that prior to the obstacles created by the COVID-19 pandemic, gains had been made to export Ghanaian goods and services to other African countries as demand in the region has increased.

“We had a fair in Nigeria to introduce universities in Ghana. A lot of Nigerians come to school here, but we wanted to institutionalise it and make them know that we even have more universities. If there hadn’t been what is happening now, we had it on our radar to go to Ethiopia and Rwanda as well. We are concentrating more on Africa considering also that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area is established here,” she expressed.

The GEPA CEO also disclosed that her outfit has liaised with the Ghana Tourism Authority to revamp certain areas in the country where some craft is ongoing so that they can help export such products.

“We went to Northern Region and we have been working to improve the work of the ladies who make the Bolgatanga baskets. In Aburi, we have also done some work with the Aburi Craft Village and work is ongoing as we speak,” Dr. Afua Asabea Asare touted.