Ghana’s Industrial Arts and Crafts sub-sector experienced a significant 23% growth in export earnings in 2024, contributing 3% to the nation’s total non-traditional exports (NTEs), up from 2.43% in 2023.
This growth was primarily driven by an exceptional 523% increase in textile exports, reflecting a rising international appetite for Ghanaian cultural products.
Handicrafts followed with a 440% surge, and bamboo and cane furniture exports rose by 274%. Other notable performers included beads (114% increase), hides and skins (26%), and ceramic products (23%).
Despite these gains, some traditional items saw declines: mats dropped by 32%, statuettes by 31%, and traditional musical instruments by 19%, indicating shifting global preferences.
Overall, Ghana’s non-traditional exports reached $3.83 billion in 2024, marking a 2.87% decrease from 2023’s $3.94 billion. This dip was largely attributed to reduced iron and steel exports to the ECOWAS region.
However, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) attributed the growth in the arts and crafts sector to increased global interest in handmade, sustainable, and culturally significant products.
GEPA emphasizes the need for continued investment in product development and market access to sustain this momentum.
To further bolster the sector, GEPA plans to implement initiatives under the Accelerated Export Development Programme, aiming to enhance Ghana’s export capacity and market reach in line with the government’s export-led industrialization agenda.
