The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called for stronger investment partnerships between Ghana and the European Union (EU) to accelerate agricultural processing, strengthen manufacturing and create employment opportunities across the country.
Speaking at the opening of the EU-Ghana Agribusiness Exhibition Forum and Trade Mission 2026 in Accra.
The Minister urged European investors to move beyond conventional trading relationships towards strategic partnerships that develop local production capacity and improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses.
She emphasised the need to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector through value addition, technology transfer and export oriented manufacturing, arguing that processing more agricultural commodities locally would enable the country to retain greater economic value from its natural resources.
“Ghana must move beyond exporting raw commodities towards value addition, manufacturing and competitive export development.”
Minister for Trade, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
The call comes as Ghana records significant growth in non-traditional exports, reinforcing the importance of developing domestic processing industries and expanding access to international markets.
Export Growth Strengthens Processing Agenda
GEPA’s 2025 Non-Traditional Exports Statistics Report showed that processed and semi-processed products generated approximately US$3.09 billion, accounting for 83.47 per cent of non-traditional export earnings.
Cocoa derivatives, including cocoa butter, cocoa paste, cocoa powder and cocoa cake, remained significant contributors to export performance. Their contribution demonstrates the commercial potential of transforming agricultural commodities into products with higher market value.
The figures also reinforce the government’s ambition to increase domestic cocoa processing to at least 50 per cent, a target intended to strengthen local manufacturing, support industrial development and expand employment opportunities within the cocoa value chain.
Achieving this objective will require sustained investment in processing facilities, reliable production systems, modern equipment and the technical expertise needed to meet international quality standards.
“The performance of Ghana’s non-traditional export sector demonstrates the growing importance of value-added products in diversifying the economy and strengthening export earnings.”
Minister for Trade, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
For Ghanaian businesses, stronger processing capacity could create opportunities to supply manufacturers, retailers and distributors in Europe and other international markets.
It could also encourage enterprises to develop branded products rather than compete primarily through the export of unprocessed commodities.
However, sustaining export growth will depend on businesses’ ability to meet market requirements, maintain consistent product quality and supply adequate volumes.
Investment in certification, packaging, storage and logistics will therefore be essential to translating export opportunities into lasting commercial gains.
EU Partnerships to Drive Industrial Growth
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare encouraged European investors to explore joint ventures with Ghanaian enterprises, establish local processing facilities and develop supplier programmes that integrate domestic businesses into international value chains.
Also, such partnerships could provide Ghanaian companies with access to advanced processing technologies, technical expertise, international distribution networks and improved production methods.
The EU-Ghana Agribusiness Exhibition Forum and Trade Mission, scheduled for October 28–29 in Accra, provides a platform for businesses to showcase products, engage prospective partners and explore investment opportunities across agriculture and related industries.
The programme brings together stakeholders interested in food processing, precision agriculture, digital innovation, sustainable farming and post-harvest management.
These areas are increasingly important to improving productivity, reducing losses and strengthening the competitiveness of agricultural enterprises.
For local processors, access to modern machinery and technical knowledge could improve production efficiency and enable them to meet the standards required by international buyers.
“The mission offers opportunities to explore new markets, build local partnerships and translate European expertise into practical business opportunities within Ghana’s agribusiness sector.”
Minister for Trade, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
The Minister’s appeal also places emphasis on supplier development, which could help connect small and medium-sized Ghanaian enterprises with larger domestic processors and European companies.
Finance and AfCFTA to Expand Markets
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting agribusiness enterprises, improving access to finance and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to widen market opportunities for Ghanaian products.
Access to affordable, appropriately structured financing remains important for businesses seeking to acquire machinery, expand production, improve storage facilities and meet export certification requirements.
The government has also identified investment mobilisation, productivity improvements and value addition as priorities under its wider agricultural transformation agenda.
Ghana’s AgriConnect Compact, launched in June 2026 with support from the World Bank Group and development partners, seeks to strengthen food security, reduce food imports, create jobs and mobilise investment across priority agricultural value chains.
The initiative prioritises commodities including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize and poultry, alongside other strategic sectors.
“The Compact sets out a coordinated agenda for public and private action to raise productivity, expand value addition, improve access to markets and finance, and strengthen resilience across Ghana’s agri-food system.”
Minister for Trade, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
The broader challenge will be to convert investment commitments into productive capacity, stronger domestic supply chains and measurable export gains.
The success of the EU-Ghana agribusiness partnership will ultimately depend on whether investment delivers more processing within the country, stronger participation by local businesses and sustainable employment across the agricultural value chain.
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