The authority said the country's import base was higher than its export leading to higher demand for foreign products therefore affecting the country's economic growth and development.

The Authority made the call in Tamale during a conference with the MMDAs and other stakeholders on the implementation of the National Export Strategy in relations to the One-District-One-Export-Product.

The strategy sought to identify exportable products within the districts in the country as a measure to promote exports at the district levels.

 Mr Akilu Shaibu, a Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GEPA addressing participants in Tamale said there was the need to refocus on agriculture in the country by identifying crops that could be produced commercially through the value chain to provide funds and jobs for the unemployed youth.

He said the Region was selected by the National Exporting Strategy but more importantly based on the vision of the government that saw export as a key priority to economic growth and development.

He said the government's One District, One Factory programme would ensure a stronger export base since the exercise of selecting and developing exportable products in each district would contribute to producing more crops for export.

He said the GEPA was undergoing structural changes and fundamental realignment to be able to handle the responsibilities given to them leading to change in export promotion. Mr Sayibu, therefore advised the MMDAs to help support the GEPA's One-District-One-Export-Product initiative to help promote economic growth and development in the country.

Mr Salif Saeed, the Northern Regional Minister assured the GEPA that the region had the potential agricultural products that could be cultivated for export as well as vast lands, sun shine and water bodies that would provide support for crop growth and the successful implementation of the export strategy.

He called on the co-ordinating directors to work closely with the departments of agriculture and the planning unit at the districts levels to help ensure that the expected outcome of the GEPA was achieved. He said this would go a long way to help create an income generation venture for common funds to be allocated to their various districts.