Agribusiness Chamber CEO Calls for Strategic Overhaul of Ghana’s Agricultural Sector
At the National Economic Dialogue (NED), Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, Anthony Morrison, underscored the urgent need for a strategic overhaul of the country’s agriculture and agribusiness sector.
Morrison highlighted the need to align all agricultural sector development activities to optimize productivity and competitiveness.
He noted that institutions such as the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) are prioritizing special economic zones and agro-industrial parks, stressing that Ghana must adopt a similar strategic approach.
“The President has committed to reducing the cost of food production and ensuring affordability for consumers,” Mr Morrison stated. “But beyond that, we must evaluate whether we have the right skills and financing structures to impact productivity and competitiveness.”
According to Morrison, Ghana’s agribusiness sector has long struggled with inadequate financing, making it difficult for farmers and businesses to access credit.
He urged stakeholders to develop a financing regime tailored to the sector’s needs, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive value chain analysis across key commodities such as poultry, rice, horticulture, and aquaculture.
“By understanding the value of each sector, we can accurately determine the overall worth of Ghana’s agriculture industry,” he said. “For instance, the poultry sector alone is valued at approximately $2 billion, while the rice sector is worth around $5 billion.”
Mr Morrison also pointed out the paradox of Ghana being one of the largest consumers of tomatoes in West Africa while still relying on imports from countries such as Burkina Faso and South Africa.
He called for investment in local tomato production to ensure self-sufficiency and competitiveness in the global market.
Addressing broader food security concerns, Morrison warned of the increasing risk posed by other nations imposing food export restrictions.
He advocated for a long-term strategy focused on food self-sufficiency, urging the government to allocate more resources from the extractive sector into agriculture.
“As the extractive sector diminishes, we must prioritize food security, not just for the next decade, but indefinitely,” he stressed. “We need a national commitment to financing our own food systems.”
Mr Morrison commended the government for establishing the Agribusiness Ministry and called for the swift implementation of the Agribusiness Development and Regulatory Authority.
He also proposed a streamlined regulatory framework that integrates the Food and Drugs Authority, the Standards Authority, and other regulatory bodies into a single-window operation to ease the business environment for agribusiness players.
Additionally, he highlighted the potential of a 24-hour economy in fostering industrial development and enhancing food security strategies.
The Economic Dialogue is expected to yield actionable policy recommendations aimed at fostering long-term economic stability and growth in Ghana.
it is my interest area because , I believe with business our economy will growth is asured