President John Dramani Mahama has declared agribusiness as the future of Ghana’s economy, positioning it as the cornerstone for industrial transformation, job creation, and export diversification.

Speaking at the maiden National Agribusiness Dialogue held in Accra on Monday, July 28, 2025, President Mahama described the forum as a "vital turning point" in Ghana’s economic trajectory and a statement of intent towards inclusive and sustainable development.

He commended the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry for championing the forum and initiating a bold realignment of national policy to prioritise agribusiness within the country’s industrial and trade strategy. The decision, he said, was part of a broader plan to transition Ghana from an agrarian economy to a competitive, export-driven industrial hub.

“Today’s dialogue is not just another meeting. It is a call to action. We must move from talking to implementation. The time has come to unlock the full potential of agribusiness as the new driver of Ghana’s inclusive and sustainable industrial growth,” the President said.

Touching on infrastructure, President Mahama highlighted the urgent need to develop food production corridors, especially in the northeastern parts of the country, to improve the movement of agricultural products and reduce post-harvest losses.

On the global front, he noted that the agribusiness sector is projected to grow significantly, presenting Ghana with an opportunity to become a major player in international food systems. He urged stakeholders to pursue value addition, integration into global supply chains, and the strengthening of local input systems.

The President unveiled several new initiatives under the government’s 24-hour economy agenda. These include the Keep the Industries Initiative, the Rapid Industrialisation Initiative, and the Accelerated Export Development Programme, which hinge on year-round availability of raw materials; necessitating a shift from single-season farming to all-year-round agriculture, driven by expanded irrigation and mechanisation.

A key component of the President’s vision is the Feed Industry Programme, anchored on four pillars: Commercial Farmer Development, Post-Harvest Loss Solution Centres, Industrial and Market Development, and Institutional Capacity Building. He expressed confidence that these efforts would help raise Ghana’s industrial capacity utilisation from its current 30–40 per cent to as high as 70–80 per cent.

To promote local content, President Mahama announced that the government is compiling a national list of agro-processed products to guide procurement and consumption decisions within the agro-industrial sector.

He also revealed that a comprehensive National Agribusiness Policy is under development to provide strategic direction for investment and coordination across the value chain. The policy will focus on value addition, processing standards, competitiveness, and resilience in supply chains.

“We must each ask ourselves: What can I do for agribusiness? Let us approach this journey with commitment to inclusive growth, sustainability, and a passion to see Ghana rise through agribusiness,” he urged.

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who welcomed participants to the forum, praised President Mahama’s leadership and the government’s decision to broaden the mandate of her ministry to include agribusiness.

“We are here today because we recognise that Ghana’s agribusiness sector must move beyond its traditional confines. We must embrace innovation, invest in value addition, scale up agritech solutions, strengthen market systems and expand access to finance,” she said.

She highlighted the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy as a catalyst for agribusiness growth, particularly in agro-processing, logistics, and market access. “By creating the conditions for round-the-clock productivity, we can unlock new layers of efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and drive continuous value addition,” she added.

Delivering the keynote technical address, Mr Daniel Fahene Acquaye, Group CEO of Agri Impact Limited, called for a bold shift from fragmented pilot projects to large-scale agribusiness investments. He cited the example of South Africa, where agro-processing contributes a higher percentage to GDP than primary agriculture.

In contrast, Ghana’s agro-processing sector currently contributes only 6 per cent to GDP, compared to 20–26 per cent from primary agriculture. To reverse this trend, Mr Acquaye proposed the establishment of a dedicated Agri Fund to unlock financing, enhance value chains, and support indigenous enterprises, especially in animal processing.

He also called for the development of agro-industrial hubs in the northern regions, complete with modern infrastructure and digital tools. Noting that SMEs account for more than 70 per cent of Ghana’s GDP, many operating in the agribusiness sector; he emphasised the need for policies that embed agri-tech and inclusive training for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

The event concluded with the official declaration of the 2025 National Agribusiness Dialogue, marking the beginning of a new era for agribusiness policy, strategy, and implementation in Ghana.