Agriculture Drives Growth: Trade Minister Highlights Sector’s Role in Industrial Development
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has underscored the pivotal role agribusiness is set to play in transforming Ghana’s industrial landscape as government through the Ministry gears up to host the National Agribusiness Dialogue on Monday, 28th July, 2025 at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
Speaking in an interview with Citi FM on Friday, 25th July, 2025, the Minister explained that the recent addition of agribusiness to the Ministry’s mandate is a strategic move aimed at strengthening the supply of quality raw materials for industry. She emphasized that agribusiness is not a burden to the Ministry but a vital solution to long-standing challenges within the value chain.
“This important sub-sector has been added to the Ministry of Trade and Industry not to burden it, but to solve problems,” she stated. “Agribusiness must be embraced and properly planned so that it complements the work of trade and investment.”
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare noted that while there are existing policies guiding trade and investment, agribusiness lacks a comprehensive national policy framework. The upcoming dialogue, therefore, seeks to bridge this gap by engaging key stakeholders, including academia, industry players, development partners, relevant ministries, and actors within the agribusiness ecosystem.
The dialogue, being organised in partnership with the Agri-Impact Project, is expected to provide a participatory platform for stakeholders to co-create a national agribusiness policy that reflects the real needs of the people.
“The main aim of the National Agribusiness Dialogue is to develop a homegrown policy—crafted by those who are living the reality and understand the challenges—rather than importing solutions that may not work for our context,” she explained. “This way, the Ministry owns the process, and implementation becomes easier.”
The President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama is expected to attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour. The Minister also announced that the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku would be present at the dialogue to reaffirm the strong collaboration between both ministries.
Highlighting the partnership, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare added humorously, “When Eric has finished all the work in the bush, then I do the work in the city and industry.”
The National Agribusiness Dialogue is expected to mark a significant step in shaping Ghana’s agribusiness landscape and positioning the sector as a critical driver of trade and industrial development.
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*PR & COMMS UPDATES – MOTAI*
