She explained that the Youth in Export initiative enabled the youth from the universities to be attached to well-established craft-based enterprises to have hands-on training and mentorship for six months.

That, she said, enabled the nation to empower the next generation of exporters and create sustainable employment opportunities for young Ghanaians.

Dr. Asabea Asare gave the explanations during the Minister’s news briefing in Accra on Sunday.

“The Youth in Export programme is a game-changer for our country. By investing in our youth, we are not only empowering them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed but also ensuring that Ghana’s export sector remains competitive on the global stage" she stressed.

The initiative comes at a crucial time as the nation is trying to diversify its export base beyond the traditional exports of cocoa and gold.

Dr. Asabea Asare noted that the programme offered a six-month intensive mentorship led by seasoned exporters. ”So far, two cohorts of young university graduates involving 20 in the first batch and 500 for the second batch have successfully graduated from the programme” she added.

The CEO of GEPA stated that the first cohort focused on agribusiness with 20 young entrepreneurs participating, while the second batch is expected to create more than 500 direct employment opportunities.

Dr. Asabea Asare mentioned that the upcoming third cohort will include participants from all regions of the country and across all sectors, and it is expected to generate over 4,000 jobs for young Ghanaians.

These efforts, she added, are part of a broader plan to transform the youth into key players in the export industry. She added that the Youth in Export initiative also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which provides new markets and opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to expand their reach across the continent.

“As Ghana positions itself as a key player in regional trade, GEPA’s focus on youth engagement is expected to be a vital pillar in achieving sustainable export growth,” the CEO stated.

Ghana’s non-traditional export hit four billion US dollars involving export of cocoa butter, iron sheets, cashew, arts and crafts and other services.