Heavy Import Dependence Undermining Ghana’s Industry and Jobs, Says AGI President

President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr. Kofi Nsiah-Poku, has raised concerns over Ghana’s growing dependence on imports, describing it as a major obstacle to industrial growth, job creation, and economic self-reliance.

Speaking on PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, February 19, 2026, during a discussion on “The State of Ghana’s Manufacturing Sector”, Dr. Nsiah-Poku said the country is effectively outsourcing employment and economic opportunities by relying heavily on foreign goods.

“When a country depends too much on imports, you are giving your labour away because the employment you are supposed to create in your own country is being created in somebody else’s country,” he stated.

He highlighted the ripple effects of weak domestic industry, noting that struggling manufacturers generate less income, invest less, and contribute less to the wider economy.

Dr. Nsiah-Poku emphasised the urgent need to reverse Ghana’s import-heavy consumption patterns and prioritise locally produced goods.

“At this point, we have to reverse that pattern where we do a lot of imports. We have to eat what we produce,” he said, citing rice as a clear example.

“I do not see why we are importing rice — long grain, basmati, short grain — when the stomach cannot tell the difference. We spend so much money importing rice while our local farmers cannot sell,” he added.

The AGI President warned that continued reliance on imports exposes Ghana to external shocks and undermines domestic value chains, particularly in agriculture and agro-processing.

“We cannot be dependent on somebody else’s economy. We have to rely on our own production and consume what we are producing rather than consuming what is produced outside. That is wrong, and government has to do something about it,” he stressed.

Dr. Nsiah-Poku called on government to implement policies that strengthen local production, enhance competitiveness, and incentivise the consumption of made-in-Ghana goods, as part of broader efforts to revitalise the manufacturing sector and support sustainable economic growth.