Ghana is losing an estimated $2.5 billion each year by exporting agricultural commodities in their raw state, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has revealed.
Speaking on the second day of the Kwahu Business Forum 2026 on April 4, the Minister warned that the country must urgently pivot toward value addition to unlock economic growth and job creation.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare noted that the persistent export of raw produce continues to deprive the national economy of significant revenue. In response, she announced that Ghana’s long-awaited national agribusiness policy has been finalized and submitted for public consideration, following months of stakeholder consultations that began in July 2025. The policy now awaits Cabinet approval.
“The constraint has been scale and the conditions necessary to achieve it,” the Minister said, pointing to longstanding barriers that have limited the growth of Ghanaian enterprises despite their innovation and potential.
The new policy, she explained, is designed to reverse the economy’s structural dependence on primary exports by promoting agro-processing and strengthening linkages across the agricultural value chain.
In addition, the Ministry has developed complementary industrial policies targeting key sectors, including textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, and automobile components. These policies aim to provide clearer regulatory direction, incentives, and standards for investors and are expected to be submitted to Cabinet in the coming months.
Ghana Must Lead AfCFTA by Example
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare also emphasized that as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Ghana has a responsibility to lead by example in driving intra-African trade. She noted that efforts are underway to equip local businesses with critical tools such as rules of origin information, certification support, and tariff data to enhance competitiveness across the continent.
The government is also repositioning special economic zones to support agro-processing and light manufacturing, shifting away from their traditional focus as export enclaves.
However, the Minister urged the private sector to respond with investments in technology, skills development, corporate governance, and compliance with standards.
“Government initiatives alone will not deliver results without active business participation,” she stressed.
The Kwahu Business Forum 2026, held under the theme “The Future of Business: Scaling Up Local Enterprise,” brought together senior government officials, business leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for expanding local enterprise and strengthening Ghana’s industrial base.
