The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has outlined a series of measures the government plans to implement to operationalise agro-processing plants across several regions, boost exports, and reform business-related laws to strengthen trade, agribusiness, and industrial growth across the country.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, January 21, the Minister said the initiatives form part of the government’s outlook for the coming years and are aimed at boosting production, supporting value addition and expanding exports.

Ms Ofosu-Adjare announced that the government will support the establishment of three garment factories in partnership with the private sector.

She said the factories will be located in the Central, Bono East and Eastern Regions. According to her, the move is intended to create jobs and expand Ghana’s light manufacturing base.

She also disclosed plans to fully operationalise seven agro-processing plants across the country. The facilities will be located in the Northern, Central, Ahafo, Bono, North East, Bono East and Western North Regions. She explained that the plants will focus on key value chains, including yam, fish, poultry, cashew nut, rice, shea butter and palm kernel oil.

On export-led industrialisation, the Minister said government will build two cashew processing plants with funding support from the Ghana Exim Bank. The plants will be sited at Jaman North and Aboabo under the President’s Accelerated Export Development Initiative. She said the objective is to “enhance value addition” and reduce the export of raw cashew nuts.

Ms Ofosu-Adjare also announced plans to improve the business environment through regulatory reforms and digital services. She said government will establish “24/7 business registration centres and digital helplines” to make it easier for entrepreneurs to register and operate businesses.

In addition, she disclosed that three key bills – the Consumer Protection Bill, the Competition Bill and the Business Regulatory Reform Bill – are being drafted.

Touching on trade expansion, the Minister said government will “boost exports and strengthen Ghana’s position in regional and global value chains”.

She added that efforts will be made to promote commercial contract farming, agribusiness and value addition. According to her, this will help transform raw materials into finished products for both domestic consumption and export.

She further announced that a five-year Trade Sector Support Programme will be developed to guide policy implementation and investment in the sector.

As part of regional trade integration, she said government will continue to support Ghanaian businesses to take full advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Government Accountability Series provides a platform for sector ministers to present mid-year updates and preliminary assessments of the government’s performance, as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.