The Global Africa Trade Advisory Chamber (GATAC) has reiterated the need to position Ghana as a competitive player in the global agribusiness market by leveraging new technologies and innovations to enhance the local economy.
Speaking at a networking event titled “Business Safari” in Accra, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani, emphasised that achieving Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want requires sustainable financing and development. He highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in policymaking to attract investment.
According to the UN Coordinator, “The private sector is uniquely positioned to drive Africa’s development. It is the engine of job creation, the source of innovation, and the bridge to unlocking the economic potential that lies in the vast resources and human capital of our continent. With its ability to mobilize investment, harness technology, and build competitive industries, the private sector will be key to realizing the seven aspirations of Agenda 2063.”
In recent years, Ghana has witnessed significant efforts to position agribusiness as a key driver of economic growth and development.
However, to fully unlock the potential of the agricultural sector, collective collaboration between stakeholders, particularly the private sector, has emerged as an essential strategy, as underscored at the 2024 Business Safari organized by GATAC and the Ghana-India Trade Advisory Chamber (GITAC).
Stakeholders from the private sector highlighted the urgent need for collaboration between manufacturers and technology providers to promote agribusiness across the country.
Key discussions centered on the need for attitudinal change among Ghanaians, fostering a positive mindset toward transforming the country. With the private sector as a catalyst for economic growth, speakers emphasized that prioritizing Ghana in economic policies must be paramount.
Dr. Dominic Oduro Antwi, President of GATAC and GITAC, underscored the private sector’s crucial role in creating value from agricultural products.
“By adopting innovative technologies, we can increase efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand processing capacity, which will ultimately strengthen our agricultural exports through collaborative research, building partnerships, and development,” he stated.
In his concluding remarks at the Business Safari, Charles Abani stressed that to harness the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), governments must work closely with the private sector to create a conducive business environment—one that supports ease of trade, reduces non-tariff barriers, and facilitates the smooth movement of goods, services, and people across borders.
“As we look to the future, it is clear that building strong public-private partnerships will be vital in achieving the economic growth we seek. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector must work together to strengthen institutional frameworks for regional integration and trade, build capacity among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of AfCFTA, and foster an environment of trust and transparency that encourages investment and promotes good governance,” he concluded.
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