The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has intensified its efforts to bridge the industrial gap between West Africa and the Caribbean by hosting a high-level strategic meeting with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Hilton John Mitchell in Accra.
The meeting, hosted by the CEO of AGI, Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah, centered on activating the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the AGI and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA), signaling a new era of “co-manufacturing” between the two nations.
For both parties, it was a moment to transition from diplomatic dialogue to concrete commercial transactions.
“Accompanied by representatives from the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce and the CEO of Catema Distribution and Logistics, the delegation explored how the twin-island nation’s advanced industrial processing capabilities can be paired with Ghana’s vast raw material wealth.
“The goal is clear: create a robust value chain that utilizes Ghana as a launchpad for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”
Association of Ghana Industries
For years, trade relations between the two regions have been characterized by high-level visits and symbolic agreements. However, according to the AGI, this latest engagement seeks to break that cycle by focusing on structured B2B engagements and measurable trade volumes.
The AGI is already mobilizing its members across 23 industrial sectors to prepare for an upcoming Trinidad and Tobago trade mission to Ghana, including “joint ventures, co-manufacturing, structured B2B engagements, and measurable trade transactions.”
The strategy involves a “shared production,” model. By establishing bottling partnerships and co-manufacturing facilities in Ghana, Trinidadian firms can avoid the high costs of transporting finished goods across the Atlantic, instead processing Ghanaian raw materials locally for the continental market.
Priority Sectors
The dialogue identified specific low-hanging fruits where immediate cooperation can yield results. Agro-processing, particularly in cocoa and cashew value addition, remains a top priority.
Additionally, the growing global demand for organic cosmetics has placed shea butter processing at the forefront of the partnership. The focus is not just on producing goods, but on ensuring they meet international standards for export.
Another priority sector highlighted was food and beverage manufacturing. To ensure these ventures succeed, the meeting addressed the “hard” side of trade: logistics efficiency, shelf-life for exports, regulatory clarity, and development-focused financing to scale industrial growth.
The AGI noted that for Ghanaian exporters to successfully enter the Caribbean market, products must survive long transit times without compromising quality – a step which requires investment in cold chain technology and advanced packaging solutions.
A critical component of the discussion was the need for development-focused financing as small and medium-sized industries in Ghana often struggle to scale up to meet the volumes required for international trade.
The AGI and the Honorary Consul emphasized that for the MoU to become a reality, there must be clear regulatory pathways and affordable credit facilities tailored to industrial growth.
By fostering these “South-South” ties, Ghana is diversifying its economic dependencies. The AGI remains committed to ensuring that its members are match-ready for the upcoming trade mission, viewing this as a primary route to industrial expansion.
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