President Mahama urges global investors to boost investment in Ghana’s agriculture and industry
President John Dramani Mahama has called on global investors to increase investments in Ghana’s agriculture, manufacturing and industrial sectors while taking advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking at the US-Ghana Presidential Roundtable on Wednesday, September 23, President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s natural resources and agricultural potential, urging investors to explore opportunities across the country’s value chains.
He noted that Ghana produces cocoa, gold, manganese and other commodities, while farmers cultivate cashew, shea, vegetables and grains. However, he said many of these products continue to leave the country in raw form, while Ghana imports finished goods that could be produced locally.
President Mahama said Ghana must change this pattern to create more jobs and build stronger local businesses.
He identified cocoa processing, cashew, shea, horticulture, grains, poultry, livestock and food manufacturing as key areas with investment potential.
According to him, increasing local processing would create markets for farmers while generating jobs and business opportunities for processors, suppliers, transporters and other players along the value chain.
President Mahama urged investors to look beyond Ghana’s domestic market and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.
He said the continental trade agreement brings together a market of more than 1.4 billion people, with its secretariat headquartered in Accra.
He encouraged companies that establish production facilities in Ghana to consider the country as a base for serving markets across West Africa and the wider continent.
He said investors should focus not only on what they can sell in Ghana but also on what they can produce locally for export to Africa and the global market.
President Mahama also highlighted Ghana’s preparations to assume the chairmanship of the African Union in 2027.
He said Ghana would use the responsibility to support efforts towards infrastructure development, industrialisation, regional integration and the implementation of the AfCFTA.
He noted that deeper regional integration would require improved roads, ports, reliable energy, digital connectivity and efficient border systems.
According to President Mahama, these areas present significant opportunities for American businesses and could help usher in a new phase of economic cooperation between Ghana and the United States.
By Esther Padmore Amonoo
