Finance

Government to publish list of locally-made items for mandatory procurement by state agencies

The Government of Ghana is set to introduce a policy requiring all state agencies to procure certain essential goods exclusively from local producers.

This initiative, announced by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson during a meeting with the leadership of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), aims to strengthen Ghana’s industrial sector, create jobs, and reduce dependency on imports.

Dr. Forson emphasised that no country can develop without a strong industrial base, and while trade is important, Ghana must adopt deliberate policies to promote local production.

He questioned why the country continues to import basic commodities such as sugar and rice, despite having the capacity to produce them locally.

“To support our local industries, the government will soon publish a list of items that all public sector agencies must procure locally. This will ensure that government procurement serves as a tool to develop our industries,” he stated.

“Going forward, any government procurement from outside Ghana will require special approval from the Office of the President.”

The finance minister also highlighted the urgent need to curb the smuggling of goods, which he said is crippling local businesses.

He revealed that the government has identified key smuggling routes and will soon announce strict measures to stop the influx of smuggled goods that unfairly compete with locally manufactured products.

As part of the broader industrial strategy, Dr. Forson called for a working session with industry leaders to explore how local businesses can actively participate in the government’s 24-hour economy programme to drive production and economic expansion.

AGI President, Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, welcomed the government’s commitment to supporting local industries.

He praised the minister’s budget policies and expressed optimism that continued engagement between government and industry would lead to tangible improvements in Ghana’s industrial sector.

The upcoming mandatory local procurement policy is expected to provide a significant boost to Ghanaian manufacturers, ensuring that government spending contributes directly to the growth of local businesses and the expansion of the national economy.

 

Source: Elorm Desewu, Contributor

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

Related Articles

Back to top button