Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called for stronger investment in Africa’s creative and craft industries, urging the continent to move beyond traditional production methods and build a stronger connection between artisans, factories and international markets.
The Minister made the remarks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where she represented Ghana as Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the 2026 International Art and Craft Fair of Ouagadougou (SIAO 2026).
She also conveyed the fraternal greetings of President John Dramani Mahama to Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and the people of Burkina Faso.
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare described SIAO, which has served as a major platform for African arts and crafts since 1988, as an important gathering for promoting the continent’s creative talents and cultural heritage.
She noted that although Africa has a rich history of craftsmanship, more needs to be done to connect local artisans to industrial production and international markets.
According to her, Africa must build stronger systems that can transform locally made products from small workshops into commercially competitive goods that can reach markets across the world.
The Trade Minister also highlighted the strong economic relationship between Ghana and Burkina Faso, revealing that trade between the two countries is estimated at approximately US$1 billion annually.
She encouraged African artisans to take pride in their work, value their creativity and charge confidently for their products, stressing that their craftsmanship represents a unique skill and cultural identity that machines cannot easily replicate.
Her remarks underscore Ghana’s commitment to strengthening regional trade, supporting local industries and creating greater opportunities for African-made products on the global market.
Story by: Ernest Frimpong (0247220948) | Follow our social media handles @uktvghana | DM us for Ads on our website or any of our socials
