The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), Anthony Morrison, has emphasized the urgent need for a robust and agile system to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector into a thriving industrial force.
Speaking in an interview with an Accra-based radio station, Mr. Morrison highlighted the critical role of industrialization in national development, stressing that every sector, particularly agriculture, must be structured to support large-scale production, value addition, and global competitiveness.
“Industrialization is the heartbeat of every country. It involves the development of industries and ensuring they meet regulatory standards. Ghana must adopt an agile system that can rapidly transform our agricultural sector in an industrial manner,” he stated.
The Need for an Industry Development and Regulatory Authority
Mr. Morrison expressed concerns over the current structure of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), arguing that it has not effectively driven industry development. He proposed the establishment of an Industry Development and Regulatory Authority to spearhead the transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
“When you ask MoTI which department is in charge of industry development, you are told it is housed under ‘anchored services.’ This is the heartbeat of the nation, yet it is buried within a department that does not have a clear focus on industrialization. We need a dedicated authority to drive this agenda,” he explained.
He further proposed the creation of a Raw Material Development Council under this authority to map out Ghana’s natural resources, develop commodity profiles, identify global markets, and enhance value chains for raw materials.
Enhancing Skills and Addressing Funding Inefficiencies
Addressing the role of skills development in agricultural industrialization, Mr. Morrison stressed the need to equip individuals with specialized skills to maximize productivity, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
He also weighed in on President John Mahama’s recent call for a reset of the agricultural sector, agreeing that a complete overhaul is necessary. He pointed out that despite receiving over $600 million to $1 billion annually from development partners, less than 50% of donor funding is effectively utilized for actual agricultural development.
“Too much donor funding is lost in administrative costs and inefficiencies. It’s time for a major reset to ensure that funds directly benefit farmers, agribusinesses, and value chain actors,” he emphasized.
A Call for a Multi-Sectorial Agribusiness Development Authority
Mr. Morrison also highlighted the bureaucratic challenges agribusiness investors face when dealing with multiple government agencies. He recommended the creation of a Multi-Sectorial Agribusiness Development Authority or a single ministry dedicated to handling all agribusiness-related matters.
“Currently, agribusiness investors must navigate multiple ministries, making processes cumbersome. We need one central body or ministry that directly oversees agribusiness development,” he suggested.
source :BFT
