Trade Minister Urges Business Alliances to Drive Value Addition and Jobs
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called on local businesses to strengthen collaboration and formalise alliances as part of efforts to accelerate industrial growth and job creation in Ghana.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Kwahu Business Advocacy Association, the minister stressed that structured private sector organisation is critical to reducing operational bottlenecks, influencing policy, and building resilient enterprises.
“We are choosing to climb, but we want to climb in a new way together, organised and institutional,” she stated, urging the association to position itself as a credible, results-driven voice for businesses in the enclave.
According to her, businesses grow faster when they coordinate efforts, share knowledge, and advocate collectively on regulatory and market challenges. She noted that strong associations provide the leadership and institutional backing needed to push for reforms that lower the cost of doing business and improve turnaround times for approvals.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for enterprises, adding that public sector systems must facilitate, rather than hinder, business expansion.
A key highlight of her address was the government’s renewed focus on agribusiness and value addition. She stressed that Ghana must move beyond exporting raw materials to processing them locally in order to maximise economic returns and build resilience.
The minister referenced the recently assented 24-Hour Economy Authority Act as a major policy tool to drive continuous production, logistics, and storage, particularly within agro-processing and trade. She acknowledged persistent challenges, including limited access to long-term financing and inconsistent supply of raw materials, but indicated that government is rolling out a “Feed-the-Industry” programme to bridge production and processing gaps.
She further encouraged private sector investment in contract farming, agro-processing, packaging, warehousing, and distribution, assuring businesses of support in meeting standards certification and leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In his acceptance speech, Board of Trustees President Kwabena Adjare Danquah described the formation of the association as a turning point for entrepreneurs in Kwahu.
“Our broader objective is straightforward job creation, enterprise expansion, true partnership, and long-term prosperity through disciplined organisation,” he said.
He outlined the association’s priorities as advocacy, membership value, innovation, and business development, noting that it would engage government, regulators, and financial institutions while complementing existing structures.
The event, which drew industry leaders and senior government officials, was attended by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah. Chairperson of the occasion, Oduro Owusu, Vice Chancellor of Presbyterian University, underscored the role of integrity and organised advocacy in economic transformation, citing Japan’s post-war development as a model.
He further proposed the establishment of an industrial park to serve as an innovation and incubation hub, integrating skills development with ethical business practices.
The formation of the Kwahu Business Advocacy Association aligns with broader national efforts to institutionalise private sector advocacy and reposition Ghana’s economy toward value-added industrialisation and sustainable job creation.
