Made in Ghana Fair to Boost Local Beverage Industry
Government has announced plans to revive the Made in Ghana Fair as part of a renewed strategy to promote local beverage production, expand market access, and strengthen the competitiveness of Ghanaian brands both domestically and internationally.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, disclosed the initiative at the 10th edition of the Ghana Beverage Awards held in Accra, where she represented President John Dramani Mahama. The event, themed “A Toast to Ten,” brought together key stakeholders across the beverage value chain to reflect on the industry’s growth and future prospects.
According to the Minister, the revival of the Made in Ghana Fair will serve as a strategic platform to showcase locally produced beverages and other goods, while improving the perception and visibility of Ghanaian products in both local and export markets. She noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to deepen industrialisation and support value addition within the economy.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare described the beverage sector as a critical pillar of Ghana’s economic structure, citing its strong linkages with agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and hospitality. She emphasised that the sector continues to play a significant role in job creation and income generation, making it essential to the country’s broader development agenda.
She further highlighted government’s commitment to strengthening the industry through targeted policies and programmes. Among these is the “Feed the Industry” initiative, which aims to enhance the supply chain by linking local agricultural production to beverage manufacturing. This, she explained, will ensure a steady and reliable supply of raw materials while reducing dependence on imports.
In addition, the Minister revealed that government is considering the introduction of a comprehensive Agribusiness Policy designed to promote value addition and provide a structured framework for business expansion within the sector. She encouraged industry players to focus on improving product quality and scaling up production to meet international standards.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Alliance, Ernest Boateng, urged beverage companies to embrace emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to enhance efficiency and innovation.
He noted that AI has the potential to transform production processes, improve quality control, and enable businesses to better anticipate consumer preferences in an increasingly competitive market.
The revival of the Made in Ghana Fair is expected to complement these efforts by providing a dedicated marketplace for innovation, collaboration, and the promotion of locally produced beverages.
As Ghana continues to push for industrial growth and export diversification, stakeholders say initiatives such as this will be critical in positioning the beverage industry as a major driver of economic transformation.
