The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has reiterated its call for the government to prioritize the production of local raw materials to reduce the country’s reliance on imports, which continues to weigh heavily on the economy.
According to AGI, increasing local alternatives will help ease pressure on the cedi by reducing the demand for foreign exchange to purchase raw materials, a major factor contributing to its depreciation.
Tsonam Akpeloo, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of AGI, highlighted the need for swift government intervention through the newly established Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry to address the issue.
The AGI has long warned that Ghana’s dependence on imported raw materials weakens local industries, widens trade deficits, fuels inflation, and increases national debt. The association also pointed to the vulnerabilities in Ghana’s supply chain exposed during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, has introduced a new ministerial structure to drive economic transformation. The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry is expected to lead efforts to reduce import dependency, boost industrial productivity, and improve Ghana’s trade balance.
The new ministerial structure was formalised through the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument (2025) (E.I. 1), signed on January 9, 2025, replacing the 2021 framework.
The restructured ministries reflect the government’s focus on key sectors such as agribusiness, green energy, digital transformation, youth empowerment and job creation.
Industry players are now looking to the new administration for concrete policies that will boost local raw material production and provide long-term relief for manufacturers struggling with rising import costs.
