Thousands of patrons thronged the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra on Saturday, August 29, as the 2026 This Is Ghana Exhibition opened with a vibrant display of Ghanaian products, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The first day of the two-day exhibition brought together businesses, entrepreneurs, artisans and consumers, with patrons exploring, sampling and purchasing a wide range of locally made products and services.
Organised by Citi FM and Channel One TV, the exhibition seeks to provide Ghanaian businesses with a major platform to showcase their products, connect directly with consumers, build partnerships and explore opportunities for expansion.
From food and beverages to fashion, beauty products, crafts, household items and other locally produced goods, exhibitors showcased the diversity and creativity of Ghanaian businesses.
The atmosphere at the venue remained lively throughout the day, with patrons moving from one stand to another, engaging business owners, sampling products and making purchases.
For exhibitors, the event offered more than an opportunity to make sales. It provided a platform to tell the stories behind their brands, receive direct feedback from consumers and connect with potential customers and business partners.
Look beyond shopping – Julius Debrah
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah urged patrons to look beyond shopping and use the exhibition to discover business, investment and partnership opportunities within Ghana’s economy.
Speaking at the launch of the exhibition on behalf of Mr Debrah, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Authority, Simon Madjie, said the event was an important platform for Ghanaian businesses to showcase their products and services while connecting with potential partners and exploring opportunities to expand into new markets.
He said the initiative was particularly relevant to the government’s efforts to strengthen the private sector, promote local production and create decent jobs, noting the critical role played by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He encouraged Ghanaian businesses to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving their quality, innovation and competitiveness to reach markets beyond Ghana.
He challenged entrepreneurs to focus on producing goods and services that consumers would genuinely want to buy rather than relying solely on appeals to patronise local products.
“Do not simply ask Ghanaians to buy Ghanaian. Give them products and services that they can be proud to buy,” he said.
He further encouraged Ghanaians to “buy Ghanaian, recommend Ghanaian and invest in a Ghanaian”, stressing that stronger local businesses would contribute to job creation and economic growth.
He also urged patrons to make full use of the two-day event by not only shopping but also discovering the business opportunities and possibilities available within Ghana’s local economy.
Ecobank highlights support for SMEs
Ecobank, one of the sponsors of the exhibition, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting SMEs with tailored financial solutions to help them expand and compete effectively.
Head of Marketing and Brands at Ecobank, Regina Ofori, said the bank’s support was designed to address the specific needs of businesses across different sectors rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Ms Ofori said Ecobank provides financial solutions for businesses operating in sectors including transport, food processing, clothing and sports.
She encouraged SMEs participating in the exhibition to engage with the bank and explore the financing and other support available to help them grow.
Ms Ofori also highlighted opportunities under the bank’s Elevate initiative, which provides special financing support for female-owned businesses and enterprises with significant female representation in their workforce or management.
She stressed that the growth of SMEs was critical to Ghana’s economic development because of their contribution to employment and economic activity.
“Because when you grow, we grow. And when we grow, then all of us are helping Ghana grow,” she said.
Promoting Made-in-Ghana enterprise
Beyond its commercial focus, the This Is Ghana Exhibition is promoting the Made-in-Ghana agenda by creating a direct link between local producers and consumers.
The exhibition provides a platform for both established and emerging businesses to gain visibility, build their customer base and demonstrate the quality and variety of products being produced locally.
For smaller businesses, the event offers an opportunity to reach audiences they may not ordinarily have access to through traditional retail and advertising channels.
The direct interaction with consumers also allows exhibitors to understand customer preferences, receive feedback and identify opportunities to improve their products and services.
The exhibition highlights the broader contribution of indigenous businesses to Ghana’s economy, including job creation, local production, entrepreneurship and the strengthening of domestic value chains.
Day Two
The This Is Ghana Exhibition 2026 continues on Sunday, August 30, at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, offering patrons another opportunity to discover, sample and purchase Ghana-made products while engaging directly with local businesses.
The event is powered by Citi FM and Channel One TV and sponsored by Ecobank, MTN, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA).
With thousands of patrons turning up on the opening day, the 2026 edition has provided a strong platform for Ghanaian businesses to showcase their ingenuity, strengthen connections with consumers and demonstrate the potential of local enterprise.
As the exhibition moves into its second day, the emphasis remains on supporting Ghanaian businesses, encouraging local consumption and creating opportunities for indigenous enterprises to grow, compete and contribute more significantly to the national economy.
