The United Nations resident coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani, has emphasized that achieving Agenda 2063 “The Africa We Want”, requires sustainable financing and development.
He highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in policy-making to attract investment, citing the private sector as uniquely positioned to drive Africa’s development.
Mr. Abani made the comments during a high-level meeting dubbed “Business Safari” in Accra hosted by The Global Africa Trade Advisory Chamber (GATAC) and the Ghana-India Trade Advisory Chamber (GITAC).
Both parties underscored the critical need for collaboration between manufacturers and technology providers to enhance agribusiness across Ghana. Private sector participants emphasized that integrating advanced technology into agricultural processes and partnering with local manufacturers can accelerate growth, improve productivity, and modernize the agricultural industry.
Mr. Charles Abani noted that “It is the engine of job creation, the source of innovation, and the bridge to unlocking the economic potential that lies in the vast resources and human capital of our continent. With its ability to mobilize investment, harness technology, and build competitive industries, the private sector will be key to realizing the seven aspirations of Agenda 2063.”
He mentioned that to harness the full benefits of AfCFTA, it is critical that governments work with the private sector to create a conducive business environment, one that supports ease of trade, reduces non-tariff barriers, and facilitates smooth movement of goods, services, and people across borders.
“As we look to the future, it is clear that building strong public-private partnerships will be vital in achieving the economic growth we seek. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector must work together to Strengthen institutional frameworks for regional integration and trade. Build capacity among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of AfCFTA and Foster an environment of trust and transparency that encourages investment and promotes good governance,” he remarked.
In recent years, Ghana has witnessed significant efforts to position agribusiness as a key driver of economic growth and development. However, to fully unlock the potential of the agricultural sector, collective collaboration between stakeholders, particularly the private sector, has emerged as an essential strategy at the 2024 Business Safari by the Global Africa Trade Advisory Chamber, GATAC, and the Ghana-India Trade Advisory Chamber GITAC.
Stakeholders in the private sector highlighted the urgent need for collaboration between manufacturers and technology providers to promote Agric business across the country.
Stakeholders stressed the importance of adopting agri-tech solutions to address challenges in the agricultural sector, such as low productivity, post-harvest losses, and inefficiency in production. They called for partnerships between manufacturers of agricultural machinery and technology providers to develop tools that cater to the specific needs of Ghanaian farmers.
Innovations such as precision agriculture, automated irrigation systems, digital farming platforms, and blockchain for supply chain transparency were discussed as critical technologies that can revolutionize farming practices.
The need for stronger collaboration between local manufacturers and international technology providers was a major topic of discussion. Stakeholders emphasized that building local manufacturing capacity for farm equipment and tools could reduce dependency on imports, lower costs for farmers, and create jobs within the local economy.
Manufacturers in Ghana could work with technology firms from India, Africa, and beyond to produce affordable and accessible equipment, including tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems suited for Ghana’s agricultural conditions.
According to the president of the Global Africa Trade Advisory Chambers and the Ghana -India Trade Advisory Chamber Dr. Dominic Oduro Antwi, the private sector plays a crucial role in creating value from agricultural products.
“By adopting innovative technologies, we can increase efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand processing capacity, which will ultimately strengthen our agricultural exports through collaborative research, building partnership and development” he stressed.
