On Thursday, March 20th, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) led by President Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim Darke and CEO Seth Twum-Akwaboah, paid a courtesy call to the Honourable Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Agribusiness.
The visit was an opportunity for the AGI leadership to officially congratulate the Minister on her recent appointment while engaging in discussions on key areas of industry development that the Ministry could consider in accelerating growth within the sector.
During the visit, Dr. Ayim Darke expressed strong support for the President’s initiative to integrate agribusiness within the trade and industry sectors. He emphasized that strengthening the agricultural value chain, particularly in terms of supplying raw materials to the manufacturing industry, would be critical in reducing inflation, especially in connection with the food basket.
This initiative, according to Dr. Ayim Darke, aligns with AGI’s vision and would complement efforts made under President Mahama’s administration to boost both agribusiness and industry.
The AGI leadership also raised several concerns from its member companies that could help propel the partnership between the Ministry and industry players in driving the agri-industry trade agenda. Key issues discussed included the need for better regulation in certain areas, aligning the government’s 24-hour economy initiative with industrial policy, the enhanced role of the Exim Bank in supporting SMEs in their export activities and the amendment of the Public Procurement Act to support the local sourcing of made in Ghana goods. To this end , the Honorable Minister assured AGI that the sanitary pads for school girls will be procured from manufacturers in Ghana. This she said will promote import substitution and job creation.
To tackle the issue of excessive imports and the dumping of substandard goods, Honorable Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare revealed that the government plans to train 1,000 field workers under the Ghana Standards Authority. These workers will monitor and ensure strict adherence to quality standards.
Addressing the concern that 90% of raw materials for industry are imported, the Minister highlighted a new government initiative, the “Feed the Industry” program. This initiative focuses on contract commercial farming to supply local industries with the necessary raw materials.
She urged the President of the AGI to identify the key raw materials needed by the industry, so that the government can intervene accordingly.
In response, the AGI President assured the Ministry of the association’s full support for productive collaboration.
The industry leaders attended the meeting, providing further insight and input on the discussions.
Key AGI Personalities included Mr Seth Twum Akwaboah, AGI CEO, Dr. Nora Bannermen, CEO of Sleek Garments Export Limited; Eric Keyman Defor, Chairman of AGI Construction; Edwina Asante, Chairperson for AGI Garment and Textile; Kwabena Agyare Dankwa, National Executive Committee Member, and Mr David Appiah, Senior Manager, Communications, West Islands Mid-Africa Franchise.
The AGI’s engagement with the Ministry reflects a collaborative approach aimed at fostering sustainable industrial growth and addressing challenges faced by key sectors in Ghana. With a focus on agribusiness, trade, and industrial policy, both parties are optimistic that the partnership will help create an environment conducive to boosting local production, trade, and exports.
