Finance Minister Calls for Shift from Raw Exports to Value-Added Trade with China

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has called for a major shift in Ghana’s trade relationship with China, urging greater emphasis on local processing, manufacturing, technology transfer and job creation.
Dr Forson said although China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner, the current structure of trade between the two countries must change to enable Ghana to derive greater value from its exports
He made the call at the opening of the Fifth Session of the Ghana–China Joint Commission on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation.
“China is now Ghana’s largest trading partner, but the structure must improve,” he said.
The Finance Minister said Ghana’s priority is to process more of its raw materials locally while significantly increasing exports of processed cocoa and other value-added products to the Chinese market.
He explained that the government is seeking investments that will strengthen domestic production, expand industrial capacity and create sustainable employment opportunities for Ghanaians.
“We seek investments that build processing plants and manufacturing lines, transfer technology, procure from Ghanaian businesses, train our people and create sustainable jobs,” Dr Forson stressed.
According to him, Ghana’s economic partnership with China should go beyond increasing trade volumes and instead translate into tangible opportunities for local businesses, workers and the wider economy.
He said placing greater emphasis on value addition would allow Ghana to retain more economic benefits from its natural resources while strengthening domestic production and industrial capacity.
China’s Assistant Minister for Commerce, Zhang Li, who is visiting Ghana for the first time, commended the government for what he described as recent improvements in the country’s economy.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening economic and commercial cooperation with Ghana, stressing the importance of strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
Mr Zhang also said China was prepared to support the government’s Big Push Programme and other priority initiatives aimed at accelerating Ghana’s economic development.
The discussions are expected to further strengthen bilateral economic relations while identifying opportunities for investment, trade expansion, technology transfer and industrial development.
For Ghana, the government’s focus remains on ensuring that increased trade with China generates greater local value, supports Ghanaian businesses and contributes meaningfully to job creation and long-term economic growth.