Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has called upon financial institutions to take bold steps in de-risking the agriculture sector and to provide substantial capital support to agri-business startups. He emphasized the crucial role of the Ghana Exim Bank in driving growth within the export sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama made these remarks during the opening of the Ghana Horticulture Expo in Accra. The three-day event, themed ‘Innovate, Transform, Sustain: Driving Growth in Ghana’s Horticultural Sector’, is organized by the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE). President Mahama urged development partners to invest in infrastructure, agri-tech, and skills, positioning themselves as partners rather than donors.
Addressing youth and women, Mahama highlighted agriculture as a viable career choice, encouraging private sectors to invest with foresight and collaborate with the government to enhance processing, certification, and export capacities. He stressed the need to transition from policy discussions to tangible productivity, aiming to stabilize the nation’s currency through increased foreign exchange earnings, particularly by expanding high-value agricultural exports.
President Mahama noted Ghana’s current success in exporting fresh produce to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with non-traditional exports surpassing $3.5 billion in 2024, led by horticulture. The target is set to exceed $10 billion by 2030, shifting focus from aid to trade and achieving dominance in the export value chain.
Under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mahama sees a single market of 1.4 billion people as an opportunity for Ghana to lead in production and trade. He envisions an integrated African economic ecosystem that is efficient and self-reliant, building on the dreams of past generations.
Reflecting on Ghana’s history, President Mahama invoked the words of Ghana’s Founding President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, urging the nation to prioritize a productive economy. He encouraged farmers, youth, and global partners to see Ghana as open for business, committed to growth with purpose.
Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson, Executive Chairman of Celltel Networkks Limited, emphasized the role of technology in optimizing agriculture and boosting productivity. Mr. Davis Narh Korboe, President of FAGE, expressed gratitude to President Mahama for his dedication to promoting Ghana’s export sector.