The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, announced ambitious government plans to operationalize seven agro-processing plants, ramp up exports, and reform business laws during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, January 21.
These initiatives aim to enhance production, add value to local products, and drive industrial growth nationwide. Ms. Ofosu-Adjare highlighted partnerships with the private sector to establish three garment factories in the Central, Bono East, and Eastern Regions, creating jobs and expanding Ghana’s light manufacturing sector
The seven agro-processing plants will span the Northern, Central, Ahafo, Bono, North East, Bono East, and Western North Regions. They will target high-potential value chains such as yam, fish, poultry, cashew nuts, rice, shea butter, and palm kernel oil.
To advance export-led industrialization, the government will fund two cashew processing plants in Jaman North and Aboabo through the Ghana Exim Bank under the President’s Accelerated Export Development Initiative. This will boost value addition and curb raw cashew exports.
Business reforms include 24/7 registration centres and digital helplines for easier entrepreneur onboarding. Three key bills the Consumer Protection Bill, Competition Bill, and Business Regulatory – Reform Bill are in drafting stages.
The Minister also outlined strategies to expand trade, including commercial contract farming, a five-year Trade Sector Support Programme, and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to position Ghana strongly in regional and global value chains.
The Accountability Series allows ministers to share mid-year updates, fostering transparency in government performance.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com