Gov't to enforce local procurement policy to boost industry – Ato Forson assures AGI

The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced a new policy. This policy will require public sector agencies to buy essential goods from local producers only.

This initiative aims to strengthen Ghana’s industrial base and reduce import dependency. It also seeks to stimulate job creation in the country.

Dr. Forson made this announcement during a meeting with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI). He expressed concern about Ghana's reliance on imports for basic commodities like sugar and rice. He noted that Ghana can produce these items locally.

The new directive will focus on empowering domestic manufacturers. “We will publish a list of items for local procurement,” he stated. “Any procurement from outside Ghana will need special approval from the President's Office.”

In addition to this policy, Dr. Forson warned about the threat of smuggling goods into the country. The government has identified key smuggling routes and plans to enforce stricter measures against it. He said, “Smuggled goods are crippling our local businesses, and we are determined to stop it.”

Dr. Forson also called for closer collaboration between the government and private sector actors. He invited industry leaders to discuss how they can engage with the government's 24-hour economy program effectively.

He emphasized that strong partnerships are crucial for long-term growth and enhancing local production capacity.

AGI President Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke welcomed this move by the government. He praised their renewed commitment to industrial development.

He is optimistic that ongoing dialogue between the government and private sector will lead to improvements. The upcoming local procurement policy could boost competitiveness among Ghanaian manufacturers while benefiting the national economy directly.