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Options for Export Diversification and Faster Export Growth in Ghana

Author

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  • Chandra, Vandana
  • Osorio Rodarte, Israel

Abstract

This paper discusses how Ghana’s path to a middle income status does not have to be paved with only manufactured products. There are multiple paths and processed natural resources-based products are not necessarily a curse, and if Ghana wants and it builds the requisite capacity, it can turn them into an opportunity. This chapter suggests that one policy challenge for Ghana is to facilitate a comprehensive package of sector specific polices dedicated to fostering the technological capabilities and other nontradable public inputs necessary to potentially scale up 6 identified sectors. We also find that 3 of the 4 Presidential Special Initiative products––starch, salt, palm oil are efficient choices but the efficiency of textiles is unclear. Our analysis also indicates that when income enhancement is the objective, there is no blueprint for a diversification strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Chandra, Vandana & Osorio Rodarte, Israel, 2007. "Options for Export Diversification and Faster Export Growth in Ghana," MPRA Paper 18539, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:18539
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    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/18539/1/MPRA_paper_18539.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Ricardo Hausmann & Jason Hwang & Dani Rodrik, 2007. "What you export matters," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Jean Imbs & Romain Wacziarg, 2003. "Stages of Diversification," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(1), pages 63-86, March.
    4. Barro, Robert J & Lee, Jong-Wha, 2001. "International Data on Educational Attainment: Updates and Implications," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 53(3), pages 541-563, July.
    5. Habiyaremye, Alexis & Ziesemer, Thomas, 2006. "Absorptive Capacity and Export Diversification in Sub-Saharan African Countries," MERIT Working Papers 2006-030, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    6. Francis Teal, 2002. "Export Growth and Trade Policy in Ghana in the Twentieth Century," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(9), pages 1319-1337, September.
    7. Hausmann, Ricardo & Klinger, Bailey, 2006. "Structural Transformation and Patterns of Comparative Advantage in the Product Space," Working Paper Series rwp06-041, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    8. Wood, Adrian & Mayer, Jorg, 2001. "Africa's Export Structure in a Comparative Perspective," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 25(3), pages 369-394, May.
    9. Nweke, Felix, 2004. "New challenges in the cassava transformation in Nigeria and Ghana:," EPTD discussion papers 118, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    10. Francis Teal & James Habyarimana & Papa Thiam & Ginger Turner, 2006. "Ghana : An Analysis of Firm Productivity," World Bank Publications - Reports 12595, The World Bank Group.
    11. Benn Eifert & Alan Gelb & Vijaya Ramachandran, 2005. "Business Environment and Comparative Advantage in Africa: Evidence from the Investment Climate Data," Working Papers 56, Center for Global Development.
    12. Federico Bonaglia & Kichiro Fukasaku, 2003. "Export Diversification In Low-Income Countries: An International Challenge After Doha," Development and Comp Systems 0307001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Haroon Bhorat & Christopher Rooney & François Steenkamp, 2019. "Building Economic Complexity in Africa," Working Papers 201906, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.
    2. Mina Baliamoune-Lutz, 2011. "Growth by Destination (Where You Export Matters): Trade with China and Growth in African Countries," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 23(2), pages 202-218.
    3. Ahmadou Aly Mbaye & Stephen Golub & Anastasia Vasilyeva, 2019. "Senegal’s International Competitiveness and Employment Creation for Women and Youth. The Product Space Analysis and Fieldwork Findings," Working Papers idrcdprusenegal, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.
    4. Väth, Susanne Johanna & Kirk, Michael, 2013. "Do land ownership and contract farming matter? Evidence from a large-scale investment in Ghana," 2013 Fourth International Conference, September 22-25, 2013, Hammamet, Tunisia 161460, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ghana; economic growth; export diversification; structural transformation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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