The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has commended the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) for launching the Accra Trade House and Friday Market initiatives, describing them as strategic interventions to promote Made-in-Ghana products and expand market access for local enterprises.
The launch, held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Africa Trade House in Accra, brought together chief executives, trade experts, industry stakeholders, and exhibitors to underscore the importance of promoting locally manufactured products and strengthening Ghana’s export competitiveness .
GFZA CEO Calls for Production Capacity Boost
Delivering a solidarity message at the event, GFZA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mary Awusi praised GEPA for the initiatives, describing them as a step in the right direction towards enhancing the visibility and market reach of Ghanaian products. She emphasised the need to build the productive capacity of local enterprises, promote value addition, and enhance competitiveness to enable Ghanaian businesses to take full advantage of emerging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) .
Dr. Awusi noted that GFZA, GEPA, and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) share a common objective of attracting investment, increasing the value and volume of Ghana’s exports, and strengthening the competitiveness of Ghanaian enterprises. She reaffirmed GFZA’s commitment to deepening collaboration with GEPA and other strategic partners to support local businesses, strengthen export capacity, and advance Ghana’s industrialisation agenda .
She further stressed the importance of positioning Ghanaian enterprises to meet evolving market demands, access new markets, and compete effectively within Africa and beyond .
A Permanent Marketplace for Ghanaian Goods
The Accra Trade House provides a permanent marketplace that complements trade fairs, buyer-seller engagements, and international market entry programmes. The Friday Market, to be held on the last Friday of each month, will showcase locally made products including shea butter and its derivative cosmetic products, cashew nuts, bananas, yam, cocoa derivatives, handicrafts, leather products, local carvings, straw bags, and other fashion items .
GEPA Chief Executive Officer Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur said the platform provides opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to test their products, collate customer feedback, build business networks, and build their brands to the required global market standards. He added that the trade house would be expanded to some Ghanaian missions abroad to broaden the reach of Made-in-Ghana products .
Building on a Growing Network
The Accra launch follows GEPA’s establishment of similar trade houses in Nairobi, Philadelphia, and London, part of a broader strategy to anchor Ghanaian products in key regional markets. The London facility, opened in August 2026, serves as a permanent marketplace and investor-friendly hub for quality, reliable Made-in-Ghana goods, facilitating structured engagement with export-ready firms in sectors such as processed foods, beverages, textiles, cosmetics, and light manufactured goods .
At the Accra event, the Chief Executive Officers of GEPA, GFZA, GIPC, and other dignitaries jointly inaugurated the trade house. Dr. Awusi was accompanied by Ms. Anita Novi Quashie, Director of Marketing and Investment Promotion; Mr. Bilal Muazu, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs; and other officers of the Authority .
The initiatives are expected to provide valuable platforms for local businesses to showcase their products, connect with potential buyers, and enhance their market visibility, representing another step towards strengthening domestic production, promoting Ghanaian brands, and expanding the country’s footprint in regional and international markets .
