Government has announced plans to establish 60 hectares of irrigated farmlands dedicated to year-round tomato production, alongside processing initiatives to prevent gluts and ensure a steady supply of tomatoes on the Ghanaian market.
President John Dramani Mahama made the announcement at the Kwahu Business Forum in Mpreaso on Saturday, April 4, 2026. He emphasized the importance of complementing production with processing capacity, stating, “It’s not enough to grow tomatoes; it’s necessary to put in place processing capacity so we won’t have tomato glut like other products.”
The initiative is expected to enhance food security, stabilize market prices, and create jobs across the agricultural value chain.
At the same forum, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, highlighted the pivotal role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in advancing Ghana’s industrialisation and trade agenda. She stressed that Ghana’s position as host of the Secretariat places a responsibility on the country to translate continental trade policies into real opportunities for businesses.
“Underpinning all of this is our Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat. Ghana carries a particular responsibility to demonstrate what intra-African trade can deliver in practice,” she said.
The Minister explained that government is working to prepare local businesses to compete effectively within the African market by improving access to trade tools and information, including rules of origin certification, tariff intelligence, and market linkages. She cautioned, however, that policy measures alone would not be sufficient without strong private sector participation.
“None of these policies will deliver their intended outcome without private sector partnership with government,” she noted.
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare further underscored the forum’s theme, “The Future of Business: Scaling Up Local Enterprise,” as a reflection of Ghana’s industrial development trajectory, demonstrating that Ghanaian entrepreneurs are capable of building viable enterprises across processing, manufacturing, services, and trade.
She added that the Ministry is advancing the revitalization of special economic zones, repositioning them as active industrial ecosystems geared towards agro-processing and light manufacturing rather than passive export enclaves.
Other activities at the 2026 Kwahu Business Forum included exhibition tours and panel discussions focused on key economic sectors, reinforcing the Forum’s role as a hub for innovation, partnerships, and investment.
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