President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a significant agricultural intervention aimed at transforming tomato production in Ghana, including the development of 60 hectares of irrigated farmlands to enable year-round cultivation.
Speaking at the 2026 Kwahu Business Forum held at Mpreaso in the Eastern Region, the President said the initiative is designed to stabilise tomato production and tackle the persistent challenge of market gluts through the establishment of processing facilities.
President Mahama emphasised that increasing production alone is insufficient, stressing that investment in processing and value addition is critical to sustaining agricultural growth and protecting farmers from post-harvest losses.
Ghana’s Role in Continental Trade
At the same forum, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who also serves as Member of Parliament for Techiman North, highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in shaping Ghana’s industrial and trade prospects.
She noted that Ghana, as host of the Secretariat, bears the responsibility of leading efforts to promote intra-African trade and translating policies into practical business opportunities for local enterprises.
According to the Minister, the government is equipping Ghanaian businesses with essential tools including rules of origin certification, tariff intelligence, and market linkages to enhance their competitiveness across the continent. She added that achieving meaningful outcomes will depend on strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Supporting Local Enterprises
Addressing the forum’s theme, “The Future of Business: Scaling Up Local Enterprises,” Minister Ofosu-Adjare observed that Ghanaian entrepreneurs continue to demonstrate resilience and growth potential across sectors including agro-processing, manufacturing, services, and trade.
She further disclosed that the government is revitalising special economic zones to transform them into active industrial hubs, with a particular focus on agro-processing and light manufacturing.
The forum brought together stakeholders from various sectors and featured exhibitions and panel discussions on key areas of the economy, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to sustainable growth, industrial expansion, and regional trade leadership.
