Association calls for single digital platform to eliminate bureaucratic delays and help Ghanaian businesses take advantage of China’s market access
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has called on the government to streamline the registration, certification and approval processes for businesses seeking to export products, insisting that exporters should not spend more than one month completing regulatory requirements.
Executive Secretary of the Association, Sampson Asaki Awingobit, said Ghana risks losing out on the opportunities created by China’s decision to grant Ghana 100 percent market access if local businesses continue to face lengthy and complicated regulatory procedures.
He said the country must urgently remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that make it difficult for businesses to prepare and export their products.
“Going to government agencies to do registration of a product should not take you more than one month. We should not be moving from one office to another office,” he stressed.
According to Mr. Awingobit, exporters are often required to deal with several government institutions before their products can be approved for export.
Depending on the nature of the product, prospective exporters may have to engage the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Standards Authority and the Plant Quarantine Division, among other institutions.
He acknowledged the importance of the various agencies in ensuring that products meet the required standards but argued that their processes should be better coordinated to prevent unnecessary delays.
Single digital platform proposed
Mr. Awingobit is proposing the establishment of a single digital platform where exporters can submit one application and have all relevant government agencies process their requirements concurrently.
He said the system would eliminate the need for businesses to physically move from one institution to another and would also reduce duplication and administrative costs.
“If you go to Nigeria, that’s what they’ve done. One single platform you put application in. Once you put in one single document, the rest of the institutions that have an interest to issue certificate or permits or whatever or approve for you, they will see it there and they will quickly all work it and then push it back to the same so that it will come to your desktop for you, the business person,” he said.
He believes Ghana can adopt a similar system to make the country’s export sector more efficient and competitive.
China market presents major opportunity
Mr. Awingobit said China’s expanded market access presents a major opportunity for Ghanaian businesses, particularly those involved in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing and other non-traditional export activities.
He said the size of the Chinese market means Ghanaian businesses could significantly increase their exports if they are supported to produce goods that meet international standards.
“The market is there. It’s not that the market is not there. The population is there. They really need products from us. But registration, approval, certification, moving from one office to another, it doesn’t motivate,” he said.
He warned that delays in obtaining approvals could discourage businesses from pursuing export opportunities and could give competitors from other countries an advantage.
Financing remains a major challenge
Beyond regulatory bottlenecks, Mr. Awingobit identified access to finance as another major challenge facing prospective exporters.
He said many businesses, particularly those owned by young entrepreneurs, may have products with export potential but lack the capital required to increase production, improve packaging, meet international standards and fulfil large orders.
He therefore called on banks and financial institutions to develop financing arrangements specifically designed for export-oriented businesses.
Mr. Awingobit proposed stronger collaboration between banks, exporters and overseas buyers to reduce the risks associated with financing new export ventures.
He said financial institutions should consider innovative financing models that can support businesses with confirmed overseas orders but limited collateral.
Call for incentives for young exporters
The Association also wants government to introduce targeted incentives to encourage more young people to venture into export-oriented businesses.
Mr. Awingobit said supporting young entrepreneurs to produce for international markets could create jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings and strengthen Ghana’s non-traditional export sector.
“We need to encourage our youth. We need to motivate our youth. We need to give them certain incentives,” he stated.
He said Ghana must encourage young people to look beyond the domestic market and develop businesses capable of competing in international markets.
Focus on value-added exports
Mr. Awingobit further called for a deliberate effort to move Ghana away from exporting mainly raw materials towards exporting processed and value-added products.
He said adding value to agricultural and other locally produced commodities before exporting them would enable Ghanaian businesses to earn more revenue while creating employment opportunities along the production chain.
He believes the Chinese market could provide an important avenue for Ghana to expand its non-traditional exports and reduce its dependence on a few traditional commodities.
Government urged to act quickly
The Importers and Exporters Association is therefore urging government to treat the removal of export-related bottlenecks as an urgent priority.
Mr. Awingobit said having access to a large international market is not enough if local businesses are unable to obtain the necessary approvals, financing and support to supply that market.
He stressed that Ghana must create an efficient export ecosystem in which government agencies, financial institutions, businesses and overseas buyers work together.
According to him, reducing the time required for registration and certification, introducing a single digital platform, improving access to finance and providing incentives for young entrepreneurs would help position Ghanaian businesses to take full advantage of China’s market.
The Association believes such reforms could boost non-traditional exports, create jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings and strengthen Ghana’s position in the international trading environment.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
Ahotoronline, Accra
