Ghana’s export sector recorded remarkable growth in 2024, with total exports reaching GH₵294.9 billion.
This significantly outpaced the country’s imports, which stood at GH₵250.2 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of GH₵44.7 billion, according to the latest Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) Trade Report.
The GSS report reveals that gold, petroleum, and cocoa collectively accounted for 78.2% of Ghana’s total export revenue.
Gold bullion emerged as the country’s top export, generating an impressive GH₵162.99 billion and contributing 55.3% of total exports.
Crude petroleum oils followed, earning GH₵52.58 billion, which represented 17.8% of the nation’s export earnings.
Cocoa, a staple of Ghana’s economy, also played a significant role, with cocoa beans and cocoa paste collectively bringing in GH₵21.55 billion, making up 8.4% of total export revenue.
Export Item Value (GH₵ Billion) Percentage Share (%)
1 Gold bullion 162.99/ 55.3%
2 Crude petroleum oils 52.58/ 17.8%
3 Cocoa beans (superior quality raw beans) 14.95/ 5.1%
4 Cocoa paste (not defatted) 6.60/ 2.2%
5 Manganese ores and concentrates 3.43/ 1.2%
6 Natural cocoa butter 3.18/ 1.1%
7 Cashew nuts (in shell) 2.65/ 0.9%
8 Tuna, skipjack, and Atlantic bonito (prepared/preserved, not minced) 2.23/ 0.8%
9 Iron/Steel (h/r, irregular coils, not further forged) 1.93/ 0.7%
10 Shea (karite) oil and fractions, crude 1.93/ 0.7%
The strong export performance underscores Ghana’s robust commodities market and its continued reliance on gold, crude oil, and cocoa as major revenue drivers.
With the trade surplus of GH₵44.7 billion, economic analysts are optimistic that the country’s export sector will continue to thrive, bolstered by stable global demand for these key commodities.
