FAQ

Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) is the National Export Trade Support Institution, facilitating the development and promotion of Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports.

It was established by NLCD 369 in 1969 as an agency of the Ministry of Trade and Industry with the mandate to develop and promote Ghanaian exports. The focus of GEPA has primarily been to diversify Ghana’s export base from the traditional export products of Gold, Cocoa Beans, Timber Logs and Lumber and Electricity. Currently, there are over 383 different non-traditional Export products categorized into Agricultural, Processed/semi Processed and Handicrafts.

GEPA is positioned in the national export system as a coordinating pivot for the various public and private sector trade agencies involved in trade development and facilitation. GEPA offers specific services to buyers, please read more about them on this page.

ETLS is ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme. It a scheme drawn up by member states of ECOWAS to eliminate tariff and non-tariff measures that obstruct the free flow of goods in the sub-region. Ghana is part of ECOWAS and signatory to the protocol. Therefore a buyer can obtain some benefits (e.g. import duty waiver) if it buys manufactured products from companies in Ghana that have ETLS certification.

You can read more about The Ghana Advantage on this page.

In case you would ship products from Ghana yourselves into your country, there are various export permit/certificates to be obtained, depending on the product to be exported

• Antiques

1. • Ghana Museum and Monuments Board. If the items are made from animal parts, obtain permit from Department of Game and wildlife
   • Cocoa Beans – Fumigation and Quality Assurance by Control Division of Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board (COCOBOD)
   • Sawn Lumber – Permit by Forestry Commission (TIDD)

• Mineral Ore – Permit by Minerals Commission
• Manufactured/Processed Goods – Ghana Standards Authority Certificate
• Fresh/Processed Fish – Ghana Standards Authority Quality Assurance Certificate
• Coffee, Shea-nuts & Cashew nuts – COCOBOD Quality Assurance Certificate
• Food/Agric. Products (e.g. yam, pineapple, plantain, palm oil, etc.) – Phyto-sanitory Certificate (PPRS)
• Rock & Rock samples – Geological Survey Department Certificate
• Wildlife e.g. reptiles, etc. Permit from Dept. of Game & Wildlife
• Pets – Veterinary Services of Min. of Food & Agriculture (MOFA)
• Chemicals – Certificate from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Pharmaceuticals – Min. of Health (MOH) & Food & Drugs Authority (FDa)
• Palm Oil- Food & Drugs board
• Charcoal- Energy Commission
• Antique – Museum & Monuments Board permit
• Human remains – Certificate from the Births & Deaths Registry
• Timber & Wood products – Forestry Commission permit (TIDD)
• Wildlife (Department of Game and Wildlife);
• Live Plants (Ministry of Agriculture);
• Dangerous Weapons (Ministry of Interior).
• Where GCNet/GCMS is operational, the declaration would be submitted electronically.
• If the declaration is validated/accepted, the exporter is directed to present his goods to Customs to be examined physically against the documents.
• Where GCNet/GCMS is not operational purchase a set of Ghana Customs Non-Traditional Export Forms at any Customs post.
• Complete the form (typed or hand-written) and attach all relevant documents, such as invoice (where necessary), permit or certificates; and present to customs for processing.
• If Customs is satisfied with the examination, the goods are released for export.

Under the laws of Ghana, the following items are prohibited exports:

• Narcotics
• Parrots
• Ghanaian currency in excess of ¢5000.00
• Round logs (12 species)
• Rattan Canes & Bamboo
• Obscene / Pornographic Materials
• Goods prohibited by any other laws

In 2017 the following products were exported most:

1. Cocoa paste
2. Cocoa powder
3. Cashew nuts
4. Canned tuna
5. Articles of plastics nes
6. Natural rubber sheets
7. Aluminium plates, sheets and coils
8. Shea oil
9. Fresh or chilled tunas
10. Cut fruits

Looking for goods and services offered by Ghanaian companies? Find your supplier through the GEPA exporter directory.

In 2017 Ghana exporters went into the following top markets:

1. The Netherlands
2. Burkina Faso
3. Viet Nam
4. United Kingdom
5. Germany
6. Togo
7. France
8. United States
9. India
10. Belgium

Here are the top 6 reasons  to do business in and with Ghana.

Interested in events promoting goods and services from Ghana? Check out upcoming trade-related events here.

If you are interested in importing a good or service from a company based in Ghana, contact our advisors at GEPA directly. We are happy to answer your queries.