President John Dramani Mahama has announced a decisive shift in Ghana’s trade policy, signaling an end to the export of raw cashew, raw shea, and unprocessed rubber.
Speaking at the opening of the four-day Tree Corps Investment Fair & Exhibition in Accra on Tuesday, the President stressed that Ghana will no longer continue exporting these commodities in their raw form only to import finished products at significantly higher costs. He underscored Government’s commitment to value addition, industrial processing, and strengthening local manufacturing capacity.
“This new direction is about building industries that process our raw materials locally, create jobs, and ensure that Ghana benefits fully from its natural resources,” President Mahama stated.
The policy shift is expected to drive investment in agro-processing and industrialisation, while reducing the country’s dependence on imported finished goods. It also aligns with Government’s broader agenda of positioning Ghana as a competitive manufacturing hub in West Africa.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who was present at the opening ceremony, is scheduled to address the fair on Thursday, February 19. Her presentation is expected to outline specific interventions under the Ministry’s industrial transformation agenda, including measures to support cashew, shea, and rubber processing industries.
The Tree Corps Investment Fair & Exhibition has brought together investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore opportunities in tree crop development, value addition, and export diversification.
President Mahama’s announcement marks a significant step toward reshaping Ghana’s trade and industrial landscape, with emphasis on building a resilient, inclusive economy driven by local production and value addition.
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