In a bid to promote locally-made handicrafts as a major export commodity on the international market, Ghana has announced an ambitious US$1 billion-per-year export revenue target, as reported by Asoko Insight.
GEPA data shows that non-traditional export earnings from the handicraft sector grew by 23% in 2015 – up from US$3.47 million in 2014 to US$4.27 million, a significantly higher figure than what other economies earn from the sector. Globally, the handicraft industry is currently worth around US$100 billion.
The initiative is part of a collaboration between Ghana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and the GEPA, and includes an electronic portal that will enable the country’s handicraft products to be purchased from anywhere in the world. Products vary from basketware, ceramic products, traditional musical instruments, hides and skins, batik/tie and dye, statuettes, beads, pottery and leather to paintings and drawings.
Other countries are also key players in the handicraft industry, including Kenya (where woodcarvings bring in US$10 million a year) and Morocco, where the sector accounts for 19% of its GDP.
