Dr. (Mrs) Esther Ocloo
1957 – 1961, 1973 – 1975, 1978 – 1980
In the immediate post-Independence era, Ghana embarked on an import-substitution industrialisation policy with the active involvement of the state. Manufacturing was spearheaded by the State, with support from multi-national companies such as UAC and a few emerging Lebanese and Indian industrialists.
Some nationals felt that sustained industrial growth would depend on the development and active participation of local industrialists. In 1957 a small group of about 7–10 indigenous Ghanaian industrialists formed the Federation of Ghana Industries, led by Dr. (Mrs) Esther Ocloo of Nkulenu Industries Limited, who became the first President. Other pioneers included Rev. T.A. Adjetey, Mr. Alfred Gaisie, Mr. J.A. Brenyah, Mr. K.A. Agbemabiasie, Mr. David K. Ziga, Mr. K.J. Khubchandani and others. The objective was to protect the interest of emerging indigenous manufacturers.
In 1961, realising that all Ghana manufacturing companies faced a common destiny irrespective of ownership, the Federation broadened to embrace state-owned and foreign-owned manufacturing industries. The name changed to the Ghana Manufacturers’ Association (GMA).
In 1984 the Constitution was amended to admit companies whose services impinge on manufacturing — including financial institutions, insurance companies and specialised associations — as Associate Members. The name became the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).
Presidents of the Association
From the founding president to the officer serving today.
Mr. Alfred Gaisie
1961 – 1965, 1971 – 1973
Mr. Myles C. Hagan
1965 – 1968
Mr. E. Acquaah-Harrison
1968 – 1969
Mr. C. C. K. Baah
1969 – 1971
Mr. J. K. Rockson
1975 – 1978
Mr. A. Appiah-Menka
1980 – 1986
Dr. John Kobina Richardson
1987 – 1993
Dr. Justice Atta Addison
1994 – 1999
Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson
1999 – 2001, 2003 – 2005
Mrs Elizabeth Joyce Villars
2001 – 2003
Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi
2006 – 2009
Nana Dr. Owusu-Afari
2010 – 2013
Mr. James Asare-Adjei
2014 – 2017
Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi
2018 – 2021
Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim-Darke
2022 – 2025
Pharm. Kofi Nsiah-Poku
2026 – Date
| Years | President | Company | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 – 1961 | Dr. (Mrs) Esther Ocloo | Nkulenu Industries Limited | |
| 1961 – 1965 | Mr. Alfred Gaisie | Gaisie (W/A) Limited | |
| 1965 – 1968 | Mr. Myles C. Hagan | Lever Brothers Ghana Limited | |
| 1968 – 1969 | Mr. E. Acquaah-Harrison | Obonoma Packaging Limited | |
| 1969 – 1971 | Mr. C. C. K. Baah | Economic Industries Limited | |
| 1971 – 1973 | Mr. Alfred Gaisie | Gaisie (W/A) Limited | |
| 1973 – 1975 | Dr. (Mrs) Esther Ocloo | Nkulenu Industries Limited | |
| 1975 – 1978 | Mr. J. K. Rockson | Super Blades & Metals Mfg. Ltd | |
| 1978 – 1980 | Dr. (Mrs) Esther Ocloo | Nkulenu Industries Limited | |
| 1980 – 1986 | Mr. A. Appiah-Menka | Appiah-Menka Complex Limited | |
| 1987 – 1993 | Dr. John Kobina Richardson | Pioneer Tobacco Company Ltd | |
| 1994 – 1999 | Dr. Justice Atta Addison | Multiwall Paper Sacks (W/A) Ltd | |
| 1999 – 2001 | Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson | Kludjeson International Limited | |
| 2001 – 2003 | Mrs Elizabeth Joyce Villars | Camelot Ghana Limited | |
| 2003 – 2005 | Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson | Kludjeson International Limited | |
| 2006 – 2009 | Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi | Tropical Cable & Conductor Ltd | |
| 2010 – 2013 | Nana Dr. Owusu-Afari | Afariwaa Group of Companies | |
| 2014 – 2017 | Mr. James Asare-Adjei | Asadtek Group of Companies | |
| 2018 – 2021 | Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi | Danadams | |
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2022 – 2025 | Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim-Darke | Redmoon |
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2026 – Date | Pharm. Kofi Nsiah-Poku | Kinapharma Limited |
Builders of the Association
These personalities gave time, intellect and energy to shape AGI:
- Mr. S. N. K. Ocloo, husband of the late Dr. (Mrs) Esther Ocloo, became the first Honorary Secretary of the Federation.
- Mr. F. Bannerman-Menson doubled as Executive Director of the Ghana Employers’ Association and part-time Executive Secretary of GMA.
- Mr. Kwame Pianim was made available by Ghana Aluminium Products Limited as Honorary Economic Consultant, to write policy papers.
- Mr. Eddie Imbeah-Amoakuh joined in 1972 as the first full-time Assistant Executive Secretary, later Executive Secretary, and served more than 27 years until 1999.
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