Mahama: Ghana must become a production hub, not just a raw materials exporter
President John Dramani Mahama has called for a decisive shift in Ghana’s economic structure, insisting that the country must move beyond the export of raw materials and position itself as a major production and manufacturing hub.
Speaking at the Ghana-UK Investment Summit 2026 in London, President Mahama said Ghana’s long-term prosperity depends on its ability to add value to its abundant natural resources rather than relying on commodity exports.
He stressed that the era of exporting unprocessed minerals and agricultural products must give way to a more industrialised and value-driven economy.
“In manufacturing and industrialization, we are prioritizing value addition. Rather than exporting raw materials, Ghana is positioning itself higher within the global value chains,” he stated.
According to him, Ghana’s economic transformation agenda places strong emphasis on developing local processing capacity across key sectors, including cocoa, gold, lithium, bauxite, manganese, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotive assembly and petrochemicals.
The President argued that building a strong industrial base would help the country retain more value from its natural wealth, create sustainable jobs, and expand opportunities for skilled workers.
“Quite simply, Ghana must become a production hub, not merely a source of raw commodities,” he emphasized.
Mahama noted that global demand for critical minerals, particularly lithium and manganese, presents new opportunities for Ghana to participate in emerging industries such as battery manufacturing and green energy supply chains. He said this makes it even more urgent for the country to invest in processing and industrial infrastructure.
He further highlighted plans to expand local participation in downstream industries, especially in cocoa processing and mineral-based manufacturing, as part of efforts to deepen industrialisation.
President Mahama also made a strong case for foreign investment, urging international partners to collaborate with Ghana in establishing factories, processing plants and industrial ventures that promote technology transfer and skills development.
He said Ghana’s political stability, strategic location, and access to the ECOWAS and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) markets make it an attractive destination for export-oriented manufacturing.
The President expressed confidence that with the right investments and policies, Ghana can successfully transform its economy, diversify its export base and create long-term prosperity for future generations.
