President John Mahama says his administration will waive import duties on agro-processing machinery in the short term as part of strategic incentives to support Ghana’s growing agribusiness sector.

Speaking at the launch of the National Agribusiness Dialogue at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, President Mahama said the move is aimed at reducing costs, enhancing access to modern technology, and stimulating private sector investment in local agro-processing.

“This will help to lower costs and incentivize investment in local processing. It will enhance access to technology, improve efficiency, and stimulate private sector participation,” he said.

In the medium to long term, President Mahama announced plans to retool Ghana’s domestic machinery manufacturing capacity by strengthening local fabrication through the GRATIS Foundation.

The initiative is expected to drive local innovation and reduce reliance on imported equipment.

President Mahama also reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting Made-in-Ghana goods, disclosing that the 24-hour+ Economy Secretariat is currently compiling a list of domestically manufactured products, including agro-processed goods.

“Because the government is the biggest spender in the economy, those products would be given priority in case of any procurement by any government agency,” he stated.

“It’s only when they cannot find a product that is manufactured in Ghana that they would be permitted to buy a foreign product.”