As part of efforts to boost the industrial transformation agenda, the government of Ghana has repositioned itself to instigate growth measures in the Agribusiness sector to take advantage of the expanding global agribusiness market.
The effort is to promote the 24-Hour economy initiative, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and other domestic policies to expand the agriculture sector. With the sector’s performance in the first three quarters of 2025, the signal is strong for more growth capacity in the coming year.
According to Mr Sampson Ahi, the Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, “initiative comes as authorities work to boost underperforming factories, tighten supply chains, and tap into a rapidly expanding global agribusiness market.” Speaking at the government’s regional policy dialogue in Tamale, he reiterated that “Ghana must align strategically with global market projections.”
Data shows that the global agribusiness sector in 2024 was valued at US$ 3.4 trillion 2024 and projected to be valued between US$ 4.4 trillion and US$ 5.8 trillion by 2033, Mr Ahi noted.
The dialogue is a product of the government’s nationwide consultation process aimed at gathering knowledge from stakeholders such as industry players, academia, and development partners, to establish a comprehensive policy framework for agribusiness-led industrial growth.
The policy framework includes market access, trade linkages, and the structural reforms vital to grow agribusiness competitiveness in Ghana. Tied to President Mahama’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy, the objective of the agribusiness expansion is to create more jobs and increase Ghana’s productivity (GDP). This makes the agribusiness a critical pillar to the envisaged economic activities.
Innovation to Propel Agribusiness Policies
As the global agribusiness market expands, a unique opportunity is presented to the country through “innovation, value addition, contract farming, and sustainable agribusiness practices.”
He provoked the recent restructuring and even the Ministry name change to the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, which enforces the government’s commitment to rebuilding the agriculture and manufacturing connectivity.
Mr Ahi observed that inconsistent raw material supply, weak value chains, and persistent post-harvest losses reduce the efficiency and operational capacity to about 30-40 percent.
Through the National Agribusiness Policy, the Ministry is leading in local industries’ priorities to build a cohesive national framework. The Deputy Minister urged “stakeholders to take ownership of the process, stating that if stakeholders work together, they can unlock the full potential of agribusiness, create jobs, boost exports, and secure a prosperous future for Ghana.”
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Ali Adolf John, confirmed that “agribusiness remains a cornerstone of livelihoods and economic stability in the region.” Not only is livelihood for thousands supported by agribusiness, but it also promotes food security and national growth.
At the dialogue, Mr Daniel Acquaye, CEO of Agri Impact Limited Group, urged stakeholders to be active participants to sustain the emerging policy deliverables and inclusive outcomes. “Deeper investment in agricultural and agribusiness infrastructure to improve productivity and value retention” is the way forward, he added.
Gov’t Outlined Programs to Boost Sector
To solve the problem of inconsistent raw material supply, weak value chains, and persistent post-harvest losses, the government is implementing the Feed the Industry Program, the Rapid Industrialization Program, and the Accelerated Export Development Program.
The Feed the Industry Program is envisioned to increase factory capacity utilization to between 70-80 percent by linking smallholder farmers, commercial farms, and processors through a structured hub and spoke contract farming model.
The Feed the Industry initiative covers commercial farmer development, post-harvest and processing infrastructure, industrial market linkages, and institutional development.
The Rapid Industrialization Program and the Accelerated Export Development Program are also being implemented under the 24-Hour economic and Accelerated Export Development Program (24H+). The programs seek to transform growth from an import-dependent and raw-material exporting country to a self-reliant, industrially competitive, and export-driven country.
The government has outlined a two-phased approach, one for the short-term and the other for the medium-term, to expand access to agricultural machinery. According to Mr Ahi, the government will waive taxes on agro-processing machinery to lower costs and incentivize investment in the short term. For the second phase, Ghana will expand domestic production of agro-processing machines through capacity strengthening at the GRATIS Foundation under the Rural Enterprise Program, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Ghana is ready for growth, Mr Ahi declared, adding that efficient, effective, and consistent implementation of programs is needed to support growth policies.
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