Ghana is embarking on a major industrial reform programme aimed at reducing barriers to investment, cutting bureaucratic bottlenecks and positioning the country as a leading manufacturing and value-addition hub in West Africa.
Speaking at the Ghana-UK Investment Summit in London, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the government has begun restructuring its trade, agribusiness and industrial policy framework to lower the cost of doing business and attract investment into key productive sectors.
According to the Minister, the reforms form part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader economic reset agenda, which seeks to build a more competitive, export-oriented and industrialised economy.
“In 16 months, this government has done what many said would take years,” she stated. “The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has been aligned to lead comprehensive reforms to reduce the cost of doing business, attract investors, rejuvenate manufacturing and address administrative bottlenecks.”
Madam Ofosu-Adjare said the new policy direction represents a deliberate shift away from Ghana’s traditional dependence on raw commodity exports towards local processing, industrial production and higher-value exports.
The government is targeting growth in sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, garments and textiles, automotive assembly, engineering, ceramics, steel, cement and beverage manufacturing. The strategy is also expected to boost demand for locally made products and strengthen Ghanaian participation in regional and global value chains.
She noted that the country’s efforts toward value addition are already yielding results. Ghana’s non-traditional exports reached a record $5 billion in 2025, with processed and semi-processed food exports contributing $3.09 billion, reflecting significant growth over the previous year.
To support exporters, the Trade Minister disclosed that the government, in collaboration with the Bank of Ghana, has extended the period for the preparation and repatriation of export proceeds from 60 days to 120 days. She said the move will provide exporters with greater flexibility in managing trade financing and foreign exchange transactions.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare also highlighted plans to expand commercial contract farming to strengthen links between agriculture and industry. The initiative is expected to ensure a steady supply of raw materials for local factories while creating additional opportunities for farmers and agribusiness operators.
A key component of the reform agenda is the review of Ghana’s investment laws to make the country more attractive to foreign direct investment. The Minister cited the proposed Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill as a central pillar of the new framework.
She explained that the legislation will remove minimum capital requirements for joint ventures and foreign-owned enterprises, introduce industry-specific incentives and provide stronger legal protections for investors, including guarantees against expropriation and access to international arbitration.
The government is also preparing sector-specific legislation covering agribusiness, pharmaceutical manufacturing, garments and textiles, and automotive assembly. These measures are expected to be presented to Parliament before the end of 2026.
In addition, the reforms will establish the legal framework for Special Economic Zones across the country. These zones will offer tax incentives, streamlined customs procedures and dedicated infrastructure aimed at lowering operational costs for manufacturers.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare said the government is committed to creating a transparent, competitive and investor-friendly business environment that offers clear opportunities in manufacturing, agribusiness and export-led industries.
She stressed that the success of the reforms will ultimately depend on effective implementation, including faster approvals, regulatory consistency, reliable infrastructure and a predictable business climate capable of supporting long-term investment.
