The Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MOTAI), Sampson Ahi, has urged investors and agro-processing actors to take full advantage of the government’s tax waiver on the importation of agricultural equipment to boost production.

He reiterated that, in the short term, government has introduced a tax waiver on agro-processing machinery imports to reduce costs and stimulate investment in the sector.

According to him, the intervention is expected to improve access to technology and modern machinery for agro-processors, enhance productivity and efficiency, and drive growth and development within the agribusiness industry.

Mr Ahi made the call at the Bono Regional Agribusiness Consultation Dialogue held in Sunyani yesterday on the theme: “Resetting Agribusiness for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Growth.”

The ongoing regional consultation dialogue, organised by MOTAI in partnership with Agric-Impact Limited, aims to gather inputs from stakeholders to be incorporated into a national draft policy being developed by the ministry.

He said the Ministry was formulating a comprehensive agribusiness policy to regulate and improve the sector, with a focus on value chains and high-quality raw material production to support agro-processing industries.

Mr Ahi added that government was also investing in agribusiness infrastructure, including storage facilities, improved transportation networks and modern processing equipment to support sectoral growth.

He described the consultation as a pivotal step in the ministry’s mission to transform Ghana’s agribusiness landscape and unlock its potential to transition the country from an agrarian economy to an industrialised one.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Agric-Impact Limited, Juliana Asante-Dartey, in a statement, stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for local businesses to thrive and generate sustainable jobs across the agribusiness value chain.

She noted that poor road infrastructure continued to hamper the transportation of goods and services and called on government to address the challenge to improve sector performance.

She added that stakeholder contributions at the consultation would significantly shape policy decisions to advance the future of the agribusiness sector.

The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, said the region had strong potential in the production of cashew, cocoa and timber to feed local industries.

He noted that the Dormaa area remained a major poultry hub, making it a key stakeholder in the ongoing consultation.