Agribusiness Chamber CEO Calls for Enhanced Skills Training and Agribusiness Reforms
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, Anthony Morrison, has emphasized the need for strategic reforms in Ghana’s agribusiness sector, particularly in skills training and infrastructure development, to enhance productivity and economic competitiveness.
Speaking during the NorvanReports and Economic Governance Platform (EGP) X Space Discussion on Sunday, March 16, 2025, on the topic, “Resetting the Economy: Can Ghana’s 2025 Budget Achieve Fiscal Stability and Sustainable Growth,” Mr Morrison lauded key initiatives in the 2025 Budget but stressed the need for a more robust skills development framework.
According to him, Ghana’s agricultural skills sector ranks among the lowest in the sub-region, as cited in recent World Bank reports. He noted that before productivity enhancements and cost reductions in food production can be realized, the nation must first address critical gaps in its workforce skills.
“The National Apprenticeship Programme stands out for me,” Mr Morrison stated. “As a skills expert and chairperson of the Ghana Agricultural Sector Skills Council, I believe we must aggressively promote apprenticeship and workplace experience learning. Business owners should be incentivized to train workers effectively.”
Comparing Ghana to India’s cashew processing industry, Mr Morrison pointed out that inefficiencies in skills and labor utilization make Ghana less competitive. “Ghana produces about 600,000 metric tons of cashew but exports 90% to India. There, the work done by four people in Ghana is performed by just one person,” he noted.
Mr Morrison also highlighted the role of infrastructure in food security and price stability. He advocated for the development of a railway system to reduce transportation costs, which account for about 32% of the food price buildup in Ghana.
“In countries like China and the UK, food prices remain stable for years because of efficient transportation systems,” he added.
He further underscored the need for economic skills diversification programs to transition unproductive agricultural workers into more sustainable and economically viable roles, citing successful models from India, Korea, and Japan.
On regulatory inefficiencies, he called for a centralized agribusiness regulatory authority to streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. “Agribusiness operators engage with multiple agencies such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others. This fragmented system stifles productivity,” he explained.
He suggested adopting Rwanda’s model, where businesses can be registered and operational within 12 hours.
Regarding organic farming, Mr Morrison urged the government to designate specific districts in each region as organic farming zones, aligning with global trends that prioritize health-conscious agricultural practices.
Despite his critiques, Mr Morrison expressed optimism about the 2025 Budget, noting that it touches on six key areas essential to agribusiness transformation, including agriculture infrastructure development, the 24-hour economy, and special economic zones under the Feed Ghana project.
“The allocated GHS 1.5 billion may not be sufficient, but it is a start. We must integrate a robust local content strategy and establish a stronger public-private partnership (PPP) ecosystem to stimulate the agribusiness economy,” he concluded.
