GNCCI Boss Calls for Tax and Energy Reforms to Boost Ghana’s Export Competitiveness
Ghana’s export competitiveness is being undermined by structural inefficiencies in the tax and energy regimes, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), Mark Badu Aboagye, has said.
According to him, although the country holds significant export potential—particularly in manufacturing and value-added production—high production costs continue to limit Ghana’s ability to effectively compete in regional and global markets.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary international conference of the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) in Accra on Thursday, March 26, Mr. Badu Aboagye called for comprehensive reforms to address these constraints.
He observed that neighbouring countries continue to import key products such as building materials and plastics from markets outside the continent, including the United States, despite Ghana’s capacity to serve as a viable regional supplier.
This, he noted, presents a missed opportunity for Ghana to deepen its export base and strengthen intra-African trade under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr. Badu Aboagye further identified emerging sectors including garments and vehicle assembly as viable medium- to long-term export drivers, but stressed that sustained policy support and an enabling business environment are critical to unlocking their full potential.
However, he maintained that the prevailing cost of production remains a major impediment to industrial growth and export expansion.
“Ghana’s energy reforms for me is very key to make energy available reliable and affordable to producers. In Ghana tax reforms is also very key so we have a number of producers and taxes when it comes to production and exports we should look at all these,” he stated.
He therefore urged policymakers to prioritise reforms in the energy sector to ensure stable and competitively priced power supply, while rationalising the country’s tax regime to reduce the burden on producers and exporters.
Such measures, he argued, would be essential to improving Ghana’s competitiveness and positioning the country as a preferred export hub within the sub-region.
