In a bid to stimulate local production, create jobs, and reduce Ghana’s dependency on imports, the government is set to roll out a new procurement policy requiring all state institutions to source certain essential goods exclusively from local producers.
Announcing the policy during a meeting with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the initiative aims to channel government purchasing power into driving industrial growth. The ripple effects, he noted, would be felt across the economy—from farmers and factory workers to transporters and service providers.
“This policy will ensure that government procurement becomes a strategic tool for building local industries and creating sustainable employment,” Dr. Forson stated. He revealed that a list of items—including basic goods like rice, sugar, and other locally-producible essentials—will soon be published, with strict directives for public sector agencies to procure them domestically.
Beyond supporting industry, the policy is expected to conserve foreign exchange, reduce the import bill, and strengthen Ghana’s economy from within. Dr. Forson made it clear that moving forward, any government agency wishing to procure goods from abroad must secure special approval from the Office of the President—a measure designed to ensure strict compliance and accountability.
The Finance Minister also decried the impact of smuggling on local businesses, describing it as a “silent killer” of domestic industry. He said the government had identified major smuggling routes and would soon roll out robust enforcement measures to protect Ghanaian manufacturers from unfair competition.
Tying the initiative into the broader 24-hour economy agenda, Dr. Forson invited industry leaders to collaborate on ways to expand local production and increase economic activity round-the-clock.
President of AGI, Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, praised the policy as timely and transformational. “It marks a significant shift in how government supports local businesses. If implemented effectively, it will drive real growth in the manufacturing sector,” he said, while urging sustained dialogue between the private sector and government.
The local sourcing policy is expected to reinvigorate factories, stabilize small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and enhance value addition in agriculture—creating a multiplier effect that benefits the broader economy.
