Gov’t Introduces National Agro-Industry Policy to Boost Private Sector Investment

Accra: The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has unveiled plans to organize a stakeholder dialogue on July 24 to deliberate on the National Agro-Industry Policy. This policy is designed to encourage private sector investment in agro-processing.According to Ghana News Agency, the policy aims to establish a conducive environment for private sector expansion within the agricultural sector. The announcement was made by Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare on Tuesday in Parliament when she addressed an urgent question posed by Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Effutu.Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who also serves as the Minority Leader, inquired about the progress of the national agro-industry policy's development and the ministry's strategy to ensure that the policy leads to value addition, better market access, and export-driven growth in Ghana's agricultural sector.Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare confirmed, "Mr. Speaker, we will convene a stakeholder di alogue on July 24 this year to discuss the policy, where timelines for implementation will be rolled out." She further stated that a 60-acre land in Yeji has been designated for the pilot phase of commercial activities under the policy, with additional locations such as Tamale, Salaga, and Kintampo North expected to benefit from the government's initiative.Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare, who is also a National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Kintampo North, highlighted the government's encouragement for commercial farmers to leverage the policy. This initiative aims to enhance private sector investment in agro-processing and stimulate economic growth within the agricultural sector.The agro-industry policy focuses on modernizing Ghana's agricultural sector, enhancing productivity, and fostering economic growth through public sector-led interventions and job creation initiatives.