By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, Aug. 3, GNA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially launched the 4th Made-in-Ghana Bazaar, a flagship initiative, aimed at promoting Ghanaian products and services globally through strategic economic diplomacy.
Held at the Accra International Conference Centre, the media launch marked the beginning of preparations for the main bazaar, scheduled for September 5 to 7, 2025.
The theme for this year’s edition is “Championing Economic Diplomacy: Connecting Producers, Markets and Opportunities.”
The Made-in-Ghana Bazaar, first launched in 2018, serves as a unique platform to connect Ghanaian producers with consumers, investors, diplomats and foreign buyers.
It is jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its stakeholders, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ghana Free Zones Authority, and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
With global trade facing new challenges, including tariff wars and shifting geopolitical alliances, the bazaar seeks to position Ghanaian products strategically in emerging markets within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and others.
Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the bazaar was part of Ghana’s broader economic diplomacy agenda, carefully designed to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and enhance the country’s export of non-traditional goods.
“This year’s theme aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to build a self-reliant, industrialised and globally competitive Ghana,” the Minister said.
He stated, “We are not merely talking about Made in Ghana; we are institutionalising it through bold reforms and strategic action.”
The Minster said the Minister was committed to deepening Ghana’s commercial engagements globally and turning the Made-in-Ghana vision into a sustainable economic engine.
Mr Ablakwa outlined five new policy measures by his Ministry to demonstrate its commitment to the Made-in-Ghana agenda.
These include the introduction of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for ambassadors, with a specific focus on promoting Ghanaian products; compulsory promotion of Made-in-Ghana goods at all National Day events hosted by Ghana’s diplomatic missions; and the exclusive serving of Made-in-Ghana food at official state events.
“In addition, all humanitarian donations made by the Ministry will henceforth consist only of Made-in-Ghana products. We have already begun by sending two containers of Ghanaian chocolate to Palestine as part of a humanitarian effort,” the Minister disclosed.
He also announced a procurement policy directive prioritising Ghanaian suppliers in the Ministry’s contracting processes.
Mr. Ablakwa said, “Every procurement we make starts with the question, do we have a Ghanaian company with the capacity to deliver? If yes, then the job stays here.”
Mr. Simon Madjie, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), pledged the Centre’s unwavering support for the bazaar, calling it a “critical tool for investment promotion.”
He praised the Ministry’s economic diplomacy drive and reiterated GIPC’s willingness to collaborate in ensuring its success.
“We at GIPC are ready to sweep the grounds if that’s what it takes to make this initiative thrive,” Mr. Madjie said, eliciting applause from the audience which included representatives from the diplomatic corps, business leaders, civil society, media and heads of various trade and investment agencies.
He stressed that, “This aligns perfectly with our vision to push Ghana’s 24-hour economy and connect Made-in-Ghana goods to markets across the continent and beyond.”
The CEO also announced the upcoming Ghana International Investment Summit and the Ghana Diplomatic Investment Drive (GDID), which would help Ghanaian diplomats pitch investment opportunities abroad using a newly developed Investment Opportunities Mapping (IOMP) tool.
Madam Emilia Assiakwa, First Vice President, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), underscored the private sector’s readiness to make the bazaar a success.
She applauded the government’s recent interventions to reduce business costs and stimulate investment.
“This platform perfectly aligns with our shared vision of advancing economic diplomacy and boosting Ghana’s non-traditional exports,” she said.
She noted that the Chamber had sensitized over 1,500 businesses on AfCFTA and supported 50 SMEs in scaling up, and that the GNCCI Junior Chamber was also grooming the next generation of Ghanaian entrepreneurs.
Madam Assiakwa called for sustained collaboration among government, business and diplomatic stakeholders to ensure that the bazaar translates into tangible outcomes for the economy.
“Let us drive local production, expand exports and build a resilient private sector for national transformation,” she urged.
This year’s event is expected to attract hundreds of exhibitors, with product categories ranging from agro-processing, textiles and fashion, to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, handicrafts and digital innovations.
The Ministry assured participants that the 2025 edition would be “carefully curated to offer exhibitors maximum outcomes and visibility for export.”
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie