The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) said it is set to identify, develop and promote products and services made in Ghana for export as it targets revenue of USD25.3 billion by 2029.
This was made known at an exhibition dubbed ‘Sound Out’ which was organised to showcase the works of some locally selected premium artists.
The CEO of GEPA, Dr Afua Asabea Asare disclosed that her outfit will boost the quality and production capacity of export sectors, to enable the country meet demands of GEPA’s “Export Ghana Export More” initiative.
She said the authority’s support is aligned to one of the key pillars of Ghana’s National Export Development Strategy, launched in the last quarter of 2020 with an objective of achieving a revenue target of USD25.3 billion by 2029.
“The Industrial Art & Craft sector is one of the four categories of exports we cater for, as an authority under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Sound Out Premium Art Exhibition aligns with the third pillar which is to build capacity for industrial export development and marketing.
“The intention is to build this Sound Out platform to a level where artists on the continent, will be clamouring to showcase their pieces at this annual festival. The first being boosting the production capacity of our exports and the second being building a business environment that supports exports,” she said.
On his part, the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, commended GEPA for working hard to support Ghana’s industrial art and craft sector. He said it is time Ghana paid much more attention to using all available means to nurture the art industry and strengthen businesses.
“Let me commend the Ghana Export Promotion Authority for working on your mandate to support Ghana’s Industrial Art and Craft sector. My commendation stems from your obvious commitment to provide such a huge platform to Art and Craft in Ghana.
“Too often, as a people, we focus on promoting everything else around us relegating the aspects of life that feed our inspiration.
“It is quite heartwarming to know that in the midst of today’s fast-paced technology-driven world moving at neck-breaking speed, we have not lost the creative combination of the skillful use of our hands and minds, to powerfully express thoughts and perceptions that shape and inspire our thinking as a people,” he said.
A deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Herbert Krapa, noted that Ghanaian arts have a high attraction since they can be found in almost every sphere of life. He encouraged artists to leverage the demand and produce more.
“Increasing Ghanaian patronage of celebrated Ghanaian works and connecting global markets. That is why I chose to be here today. Platforms such as this, the Sound Out Premium Art Exhibition, will not only improve Ghanaian patronage, they are the surest way of increasing awareness and sharing market information. And of course, there is the added benefit of increased revenue for our economy.
“By appreciating our own we promote our own. A study of 10 galleries in Accra done by the International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences showed that African American and other tourists consumed 64% of our artifacts while indigenous Ghanaians patronised 36%. It could be better than that,” he said.
The exhibition was in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and the Ghana Exim Bank.
Source: Asaase Radio
