Mr. Peter Ewuah, Technical Director at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has said that Ghana’s renewed push to diversify its exports will help strengthen the country’s balance of payments, expand industrial output, and create opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that support the nation’s growing value-addition drive.
Speaking in interview, Mr. Ewuah said the government’s diversification plan, anchored on processed cocoa, lithium beneficiation, and gold refinery, represents a strategic shift toward value creation and export resilience.
The goal, he explained, is to reduce Ghana’s dependence on raw material exports while building a sustainable industrial base capable of generating stable foreign exchange earnings and decent jobs.
“By diversifying our exports, Ghana will strengthen its balance of payments, expand industrial output, and stimulate small and medium enterprises that supply inputs to major processors and refineries,” Mr. Ewuah said.
Mr. Ewuah said the government is focusing on converting Ghana’s raw commodities into higher-value products before export. In the cocoa sector, for instance, the aim is to raise local processing from about 40 percent to 60 percent over the next five years.
He noted that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and private sector players to modernize cocoa factories, support access to finance, and enhance export competitiveness for Ghana-made chocolate and semi-finished products.
“Every tonne of cocoa processed domestically adds significantly to our foreign exchange inflows while creating more employment opportunities in packaging, logistics, and marketing,” he said.
The renewed focus on value addition, he added, aligns with the objectives of the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS), which seeks to diversify export products and markets to ensure sustainable economic growth.
Beyond agriculture, Ghana is also positioning itself as a major player in the global clean energy value chain through the development of a lithium refining industry.
Mr. Ewuah revealed that the government is finalizing frameworks to ensure that all lithium mined in Ghana undergoes some level of processing locally before export.
The first lithium refinery, expected to break ground in 2026, will produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide for export to Europe and Asia. This, according to Mr. Ewuah, will open up new manufacturing opportunities and attract technology-based investments.
“The world is transitioning to green energy, and Ghana intends to be part of that supply chain not just as a miner but as a manufacturer,” he emphasized.
Mr. Ewuah also disclosed that plans are underway to expand Ghana’s gold refining capacity to ensure that at least half of the country’s annual gold output is refined domestically.
The Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), in collaboration with private investors, is leading the initiative to increase refinery and hallmarking capacity.
This is expected to improve transparency, retain value locally, and reduce export leakages that have historically cost Ghana millions in lost revenue.
Mr. Ewuah said the success of Ghana’s export diversification agenda will depend heavily on SMEs that supply inputs and services to major processors and refineries.
From equipment servicing and transportation to packaging, quality control, and logistics, these local firms will form the backbone of a more inclusive industrial ecosystem.
“Export diversification is not just about large corporations; it’s about empowering small and medium enterprises to thrive within an expanded value chain,” he said.
He added that diversifying exports will help stabilize the cedi, improve foreign exchange liquidity, and strengthen Ghana’s balance of payments over time, outcomes are critical to the country’s long-term economic resilience.
He said Ghana’s focus on processed cocoa, refined gold, and lithium beneficiation could transform the nation’s export landscape within a decade.
“If successfully implemented, the strategy could double non-traditional export revenues, reduce unemployment, and boost investor confidence in Ghana’s industrial capacity” he emphasized.
Mr. Ewuah added that the Ministry remains committed to facilitating partnerships, policy reforms, and infrastructure development to drive this transformation.
