Ghana is intensifying efforts to make agribusiness a central driver of its industrial transformation and proposed 24-hour economy, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Sampson Ahi said in a speech delivered on his behalf at a regional policy dialogue in Tamale. The remarks come as the government seeks to boost underperforming factories, strengthen supply chains, and position Ghana to benefit from a rapidly expanding global agribusiness market.
Speaking through George Owusu Ansah Amoah, Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry, Ahi said Ghana must align more strategically with global projections that value the agribusiness market at between US$3.4 trillion and US$3.5 trillion today and between US$4.4 trillion and US$5.8 trillion by 2033.
“We have a unique opportunity to tap into this expanding market through innovation, value addition, contract farming and sustainable agribusiness practices,” he said.
Ahi said the recent restructuring of the Ministry, now the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, reflects the government’s intention to tighten linkages between agriculture and manufacturing. Several local industries, he noted, are operating at only 30 to 40 percent of capacity due to inconsistent raw material supply, weak value chains and persistent post-harvest losses.
To reverse this, the government is rolling out three key programmes: the Feed the Industry Programme, the Rapid Industrialization Programme and the Accelerated Export Development Programme. The Feed the Industry initiative is designed to lift factory capacity utilisation to between 70 and 80 percent by linking smallholder farmers, commercial farms and processors through a structured hub-and-spoke contract farming model.
The programme is anchored on four components: commercial farmer development, post-harvest and processing infrastructure, industrial market linkages and institutional development.
Ahi also outlined a two-phased approach to improve access to agricultural machinery. “In the short term, government will waive taxes on agro-processing machinery to lower costs and incentivize investment,” he said. Over the medium to long term, Ghana will expand domestic production of agro-processing machines through capacity strengthening at the GRATIS Foundation under the Rural Enterprise Programme, in collaboration with IFAD.
The Ministry is developing a National Agribusiness Policy, with regional consultations gathering local priorities to guide a cohesive national framework. Ahi urged stakeholders to take ownership of the process, adding: “If we work together, we can unlock the full potential of agribusiness, create jobs, boost exports, and secure a prosperous future for Ghana.”
Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John, in remarks read on his behalf, said agribusiness remains a cornerstone of livelihoods and economic stability in the region, stressing that “In the Northern region our agribusiness sector is not only a source of livelihood for thousands but also plays a crucial role in food security and national growth.”
Agri Impact Limited Group CEO Daniel Acquaye called for strong stakeholder participation to ensure the emerging policy delivers sustainable and inclusive outcomes. He also urged deeper investment in agricultural and agribusiness infrastructure to improve productivity and value retention.
The Tamale dialogue is part of a nationwide consultation process that seeks to gather perspectives from industry, academia and development partners to shape a comprehensive policy framework for agribusiness-led industrial growth. Discussions focused on access to markets, trade linkages and the structural reforms required to expand Ghana’s agribusiness competitiveness.
