By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, has announced that the government will waive taxes on agro-processing machinery to attract investment and boost productivity in Ghana’s agribusiness sector.
Speaking on behalf of the sector Minister at the Regional Agribusiness Dialogue held in Sunyani on Monday, October 13, 2025, Ahi said the initiative forms part of a two-pronged government strategy to promote agro-industrialisation and ensure machinery sufficiency across the sector.
According to him, removing taxes on agro-processing machinery will help reduce operational costs, enhance access to modern equipment, and increase efficiency across the value chain.
“In the medium to long term, government will retool and strengthen local machinery manufacturing, working closely with institutions such as the GRATIS Foundation under the Rural Enterprises Programme of the Ministry, with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),” Ahi stated.
The Deputy Minister said these interventions aim to position local manufacturers to design, produce, and repair agro-processing machines locally, thereby reducing import dependency and promoting local content. He noted that this approach would drive productivity, create jobs, and stimulate innovation within Ghana’s machinery manufacturing space.
Touching on broader policy directions, Ahi revealed that the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry is developing a comprehensive National Agribusiness Policy to improve value addition, productivity, export competitiveness, and job creation.
“The policy focuses on the entire value chain, from production to consumption ensuring sustainability, inclusivity, and growth. These regional consultations are crucial to identify region-specific priorities that will be incorporated into the draft policy,” he added.
He explained that the government’s decision to realign the Ministry of Trade and Industry into the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry reflects a deliberate effort to transform Ghana’s agricultural potential into industrial growth.
Hon. Ahi also highlighted the theme of the consultation, “Resetting Agribusiness for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Growth,” describing it as timely and vital to Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
He observed that many industries currently operate below 40 percent capacity due to limited access to raw materials and called for stronger agricultural value chains and local supply systems to sustain a 24-hour industrial economy.
“As we seek to transform Ghana’s agribusiness sector, our focus must be on improving competitiveness and efficiency to drive industry growth and job creation,” he urged.
Highlighting key government programmes, the Deputy Minister mentioned the Feed the Industry Programme, the Rapid Industrialisation Programme, and the Accelerated Export Development Programme as key drivers of Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda.
He explained that the Feed the Industry Programme is designed to ensure a consistent supply of quality raw materials to factories, increase capacity utilisation from 30–40% to 70–80%, and build stronger linkages between smallholder farmers and agro-processors.
Mr Ahi called for collaboration among stakeholders, stressing that government alone cannot achieve the desired transformation.
“We must work together to maximise the sector’s potential and ensure that growth benefits are shared equitably among all stakeholders,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Ahi encouraged participants to use the dialogue as an opportunity to identify regional priorities for inclusion in the forthcoming National Agribusiness Policy.
“If we work together, we can reset our economy, drive sustainable growth, and make Ghana a leader in agribusiness—creating jobs, boosting exports, and securing a brighter future for our nation,” he concluded.
In his welcome address, Bono Regional Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboa called on stakeholders to collaborate in positioning Ghana as a hub for agribusiness and trade in the sub-region.
The Deputy CEO of Agri Impact Limited, Madam Juliana Asante Dartey, also urged participants to contribute to the policy process to ensure that future frameworks reflect sector-specific needs and drive lasting transformation across Ghana’s agribusiness landscape.
