Economic Analyst Highlights Gaps in Ghana’s Agribusiness Sector

Story By: Rebecca Okine

Economic Analyst at Zed, Emmanuel Boateng has drawn attention to key underdeveloped areas within Ghana’s agribusiness sector. Speaking on the Market Trends segment on the Business Breakfast on Zed, Mr. Boateng, noted that sectors such as mango plantations, palm oil, cashew, fruit juices, shea butter, and spices are all areas that, if properly developed, could play a major role in boosting the country’s economic growth and revenue generation.

“Cashew and fruits like pineapple and mango are key examples of products with potential for value addition,” said Mr. Boateng. “These are just a few of the products that we could be doing much more with, and there is great potential to unearth value from them.”

Agribusiness plays a crucial role in Ghana’s economic growth, addressing food insecurity, improving agricultural productivity, and promoting rural community development. The agribusiness sector in Ghana is supported by various entities, including the Chamber of Agribusiness, government initiatives, private sector investment, and the Agribusiness Support Division. These efforts aim to foster a more robust and sustainable agricultural industry that can drive economic transformation.

In a broader context, Ghana’s cocoa industry is projected to be a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the global research institution Statista, cocoa alone is forecast to generate GHS 3.41 billion (approximately 223.1 million USD) in 2025, underscoring the crop’s continued importance.

However, Mr. Boateng explained that for Ghana to fully capitalize on its cocoa resources, the industry requires significant expansion, especially in cocoa processing.

“Cocoa processing into chocolate is one of the areas we’ve seen some progress, but we need more expansion,” Mr. Boateng pointed out. “The cocoa processing industry in Ghana is still underdeveloped compared to global standards. When we add value to the cocoa, that’s when we begin to earn more from it.”

Mr. Boateng further stressed the importance of investing in value-added industries such as fruit juice production, which he said has become increasingly significant. “Fruit juices have become a major product and are even priced higher than carbonated drinks,” he observed. “Processed spices, too, are in high demand globally, especially with the rise of health-conscious consumers.” These areas, according to Boateng, present excellent opportunities for economic growth, especially as consumer trends shift toward healthier and more sustainable products.

However, despite the vast potential of these industries, Mr. Boateng identified several key challenges that hinder the growth of agribusiness in Ghana. He cited limited infrastructure investment, unreliable power supply, and lack of financing as the primary obstacles that prevent the sector from reaching its full potential.

“Agro-processing in Ghana is still in its developmental stage,” Boateng noted. “One of the biggest challenges we face is limited investment in infrastructure. We have arable land, but there aren’t enough processing plants to support agro-processing on a large scale.”

Recently, on April 3, 2025, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, held a public briefing on the “Feed Ghana Programme,” an initiative designed to transform the country’s agricultural landscape. The event, which took place in the Minister’s Conference Room, represents a crucial step forward in tackling Ghana’s pressing agricultural challenges while enhancing food security and economic stability.

The programme aims to enhance local agricultural production, minimize reliance on food imports, and create sustainable job opportunities. Key features of the initiative include establishing farmers’ service centers, promoting the development of grains and legumes, and introducing cutting-edge technologies such as controlled environment farming and greenhouse cultivation. These features align with the ongoing efforts to address many of the challenges Mr. Boateng highlighted, offering a promising roadmap for agricultural development in Ghana.