Agribusiness Is Ghana’s Future” – President Mahama Declares @ Maiden National Agribusiness Dialogue

President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has declared agribusiness as the cornerstone of Ghana’s economic transformation, calling for urgent and united action to reposition the sector as a vehicle for industrial growth, job creation, and export diversification.

Delivering the keynote address at the maiden edition of the National Agribusiness Dialogue held in Accra, on Monday, July 28, 2025. President Mahama described the forum as a “vital turning point” in Ghana’s economic journey and a declaration of intent for enduring progress.

He lauded the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry for organizing the Dialogue and championing a bold policy realignment to place agribusiness at the heart of Ghana’s industrial and trade agenda. The realignment, he explained, was a deliberate and strategic decision aimed at transitioning Ghana from an agrarian economy to a competitive, export-led industrial hub.

“Today’s dialogue is not just another meeting. It is a call to action. We must move from talking to implementation. The time has come to unlock the full potential of agribusiness as the new driver of Ghana’s inclusive and sustainable industrial growth,” the President said.

Speaking on Infrastructure and food corridors, President Mahama emphasized the critical need to develop infrastructure and food production corridors, particularly in the northeastern part of the country, to ensure seamless transportation of agricultural products.

Seizing Global Agribusiness opportunities, the President noted that the global agribusiness market is projected to witness significant growth in the coming years, offering a golden opportunity for countries like Ghana. With vast arable land, abundant water resources, and a youthful population, Ghana is well-positioned to become a key player in global food systems. He stressed the need for value addition, integration into global value chains, and development of robust local supply systems as necessary steps to seize this opportunity.

President Mahama outlined a suite of ambitious initiatives to support agribusiness development. These include the Keep the Industries Initiative, Rapid Industrialization Initiative, and the Accelerated Export Development Programme all designed to drive the 24-hour economy agenda.

He noted that these programs hinge on the year-round availability of raw materials, which calls for a shift from single-season farming to all-year-round agriculture supported by expanded irrigation and mechanization.

A key highlight of the President’s address was the rollout of the Feed Industry Programme anchored on four strategic pillars: Commercial Farmer Development, Post-harvest Loss Solution Centers, Industrial and Market Development, and Institutional Capacity Building. He expressed confidence that these pillars would help increase Ghana’s industrial capacity utilization from the current 30-40% to 70-80%.

In support of this, government is compiling a comprehensive list of agro-processed products manufactured in Ghana to guide procurement and promote local content in agro-industrial consumption.

President Mahama also announced the development of a National Agribusiness Policy to provide strategic direction for investment and coordination across the agribusiness ecosystem. The policy, he said, would focus on value addition, competitiveness, processing standards, and resilience across supply chains.

In his closing remarks, President Mahama urged all stakeholders to rise to the challenge with technical insights and a collective will to transform the sector.
“We must each ask ourselves: What can I do for agribusiness? Let us approach this journey with commitment to inclusive growth, sustainability, and a passion to see Ghana rise through agribusiness,” he charged.

Welcoming participants to the high-level forum, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare (MP), praised the President for his steadfast leadership and vision for agribusiness. She stated that the expanded mandate of her Ministry to include agribusiness signaled a pivotal shift in policy direction, requiring a clear and inclusive national agribusiness policy aligned with the broader industrial transformation agenda.

“We are here today because we recognise that Ghana’s agribusiness sector must move beyond its traditional confines. We must embrace innovation, invest in value addition, scale up agritech solutions, strengthen market systems and expand access to finance,” she emphasized.

The Minister also highlighted the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy as a strategic tool to amplify agribusiness development, particularly in agro-processing, logistics, and market access.

“By creating the conditions for round-the-clock productivity, we can unlock new layers of efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and drive continuous value addition. Industries will not only expand employment opportunities but also ensure that our farmers, agripreneurs, and SMEs are fully integrated into a modern, resilient, and globally competitive economy,” she added.

In his remarks, the Group CEO of Agri Impact Limited, and Guest Speaker at the event, Mr. Daniel Fahene Acquaye, delivered a compelling assessment of Ghana’s agribusiness sector, emphasizing its untapped potential and the urgent need for strategic scale-up.

Mr. Acquaye called for a bold shift from pilot projects and small-scale interventions to large-scale agribusiness investments that can drive real transformation. Citing South Africa’s agro-processing sector, which contributes significantly more to GDP than its primary agriculture, he urged Ghana to rethink its strategy.

Currently, agro-processing contributes just 6% to Ghana’s GDP, compared to 20-26% from primary agriculture. To reverse this trend, he proposed the establishment of a dedicated Agri Fund that would unlock financing, strengthen value chains, and support the development of indigenous champions in animal processing and other sectors.

He further highlighted the need for improved agro-processing infrastructure, especially in the northern regions, and called for the creation of agro-industrial hubs with modern logistics and digital tools. With SMEs accounting for over 70% of Ghana’s GDP, many of which operate in agribusiness. Mr. Acquaye emphasized that a national policy must embed advanced agri-tech solutions while also focusing on training the youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

The event concluded with a declaration of the launch of the 2025 National Agribusiness Dialogue, signaling the beginning of a new era for agribusiness policy, strategy, and implementation in Ghana.

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*PR & COMMS UPDATE – MOTAI*