ABOUT GEPA

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA)

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) is the National Export Trade Support Institution of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) responsible for the facilitation, development and promotion of Ghanaian exports. It was established by Act 396 in 1969 as an agency of the Ministry of Trade and Industry with the mandate to develop and promote Ghanaian exports. Our focus has primarily been to diversify Ghana’s export base from the traditional Gold and other unprocessed minerals, Cocoa Beans, Timber Logs and Lumber.

Currently there are over 383 different Non-Traditional Export products categorised as Agricultural, Processed/Semi Processed and Handicrafts. Export Trade in Services is a new and recent addition to the non-traditional export portfolio.

GEPA acquired its Authority Status earlier on this year and was publicly launched as such at the 72nd National Exporters’ Forum in September 2011. The change to Authority is in accordance with the Revised Laws of Ghana Act 1998, (Act 562) (1) of the Ghana Export Authority Act, 1969 (NLCD 396). This new designation helps to more clearly define the core functions of GEPA in terms of the marketing and promotion of NTE products.

GEPA’s clientele include over 3000 registered private sector exporting companies organized into 17 Export Product Associations. GEPA relate to these clients both on individual corporate basis and as groups / associations. GEPA also acts as an interface between these exporters and other public organizations.

GOAL

To ensure that Ghana’s export trade contributes to accelerated economic growth through strategic aggressive marketing of Made-in-Ghana products in the competitive global economy.

VISION STATEMENT

To transform GEPA into a dynamic World-Class Trade Promotion Organisation playing a leading role in developing a dominant and sustained market position for Ghanaian Non-Traditional Exports.

MISSION STATEMENT

To build internal systems and strategic external networks to develop Ghanaian Non-Traditional Exports throughout the value chain and promote Made-in-Ghana goods and services in strategic markets to achieve national targets for economic development.

GEPA key services

• The GEPA acts as a coordinating pivot for the various public sector and non-governmental bodies involved in trade facilitation.
• The Authority carries out advocacy services for bodies involved in exports.
• GEPA organizes workshops, forums, conferences, and seminars for both facilitators of export services and the exporting companies.
• Identifies products with export potential and adapts them for the export market.
• Organizes market/trade missions, Contact Promotion Programmes, Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, Buyer / Seller Meetings with the aim of penetrating the competitive international market.
• Training exporters and personnel of export facilitating institutions to upgrade their skills in export marketing.

Also visit our Services page for more details.

GEPA’s strategic areas of focus

In line with international best practice of Trade Promotion Organisations, and taking cognisance of our local situation, the strategic areas of focus of GEPA are:

• Market Access and Development – Market Access and Penetration Programs undertaken as outward and inward Trade Missions, Contact Promotion Programmes, Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, Buyer-Seller Meetings and Conferences, Group Marketing Schemes.
• Product Development and Supply Base Expansion for selected priority products through the organisation of contract production/supply schemes, establishment of Export Production Village Schemes, Technical Advisory Services to facilitate product and market development as well as supply chain management.
• Export Trade Information Dissemination and Communication support through the maintenance of a Trade Library, trade publications and operation of an internet based Export Trade Information Centre.
• Export Human Resource Capacity Strengthening through operations of an Export School that organises export management, product development, market development and other specialised trade related courses, workshops and seminars for export companies, trade facilitators and businesses.
• Coordinating of Export Development Activities through consensus building with Stakeholders by holding consultative Exporters’ Fora and round table consensus building activities with various stakeholders with the view to coordinating export related programmes.

GEPA Zonal Offices

Apart from the five (5) main Divisions, GEPA maintains five (5) Zonal Offices located in Bolgatanga, Tamale, Kumasi, Takoradi and Ho. These offices are responsible for the management and co-ordination of export related activities in their respective zones.

GEPA – Upper Regions

Ministry Block
Bolga
Tel: 072-23039

GEPA – Ashanti Region

Private Mail Bag
Danyame-Kumasi
near Bekwai Round About
Tel: 051-26610

GEPA – Northern Region

Box 2150, Tamale
Regional Coordinating Council
Ground Floor East
Tel: 071-23137

GEPA – Volta Region

Private Mail Bag
Ho, Volta Region
Municipal Agric. Dev. Unit Premises
Tel/fax: 091-25179

GEPA – Western Region

Tarkoradi
Tel: 031-21220

Structure of GEPA

The GEPA is governed by a Board of Directors made up of a Chairman and ten (10) representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Investment Promotion centre, the Private Sector such as the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The Chief executive Officer of GEPA is a member of the board and also responsible for the day-to-day management of the Authority.

There are five (5) main functional divisions in the organization, each headed by a director. These divisions are:

1. Product Development Division (PDD)
2. Marketing and Promotion Division (MPD)
3. Research and Information Division (RID)
4. Finance Division (FD)
5. Administration and Human Resource Division (AHRD)

Product Development Division (PDD)

The division is responsible for providing technical assistance for design and production , meeting quality, safety and health standards, as well as meeting packaging and transport requirements for international marketing of non-traditional products. The division is also responsible for providing technical assistance for the expansion of the supply base of the products and their delivery at competitive pricing.

Marketing and Promotion Division (MPD)

The division is responsible for ensuring customer identification and matchmaking, undertaking comprehensive market analysis and pursuance of export marketing and promotional programmes for non-traditional export products and services in Strategic Markets for sustained growth.

Research and Information Division (RID)

The division is responsible for conducting trade related research and analysis for dissemination to stakeholders as well as for planning and decision making for export development, promotion and growth. This division is also responsible for engaging in bilateral and multilateral issues as well as managing, monitoring and evaluating projects of the Authority.

Finance Division (FD)

The Finance Division is responsible for the overall financial management functions including corporate budgeting, accounting, financial contril and reporting within the Authority.

Administration and Human Resource Division (AHRD)

This division is responsible for developing and implementing administrative policies and procedures for procurements and general servies management and for meeting corporate and statutory requirements in human resources development.