The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana has urged the government to provide clearer timelines and legislative backing as it plans to waive taxes on agro-processing machinery.
In a release copied to Ghana News Agency, the Chamber called for sufficient funding and technical support to the GRATIS Foundation and other local institutions to ensure they deliver on the mandate of designing, producing, and maintaining affordable machinery.
The calls follow the announcement by Mr Sampson Ahi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry at the Regional Agribusiness Dialogue in Sunyani, that the government would waive taxes on agro-processing machinery in the short term.
Mr Anthony Kofituo Morrison, the Chief Executive Officer, Agribusiness Chamber, described the proposed tax waivers as “a key intervention required to stimulate investment, enhance productivity and improve competitiveness across Ghana’s agribusiness value chains.”
He said though the Chamber welcomed the initiative, the government must move swiftly to implement the plan.
“We urge the government to swiftly translate these announcements into actionable legislation and concrete programmes,” the release said.
“The Chamber and private sector stand ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and other stakeholders to maximise the potential of these interventions.”
“We believe that through sustained dialogue and a shared commitment to execution, we can collectively reset Ghana’s agribusiness sector, drive sustainable industrial growth, and secure a more prosperous future for all Ghanaians.”
As part of the implementation, the Chamber urged the government to ensure that ongoing consultations for the National Agribusiness Policy incorporated the specific and practical inputs of farmers, processors and aggregators from all regions.
“The Chamber views the tax waivers, alongside the medium-term strategy to retool local manufacturers like the GRATIS Foundation, as a positive step towards achieving machinery sufficiency and reducing the sector’s heavy reliance on imported equipment,” the release added.
“We commend the government for recognising the challenges and articulating a clear vision, which includes the Feed the Industry Programme, to address the raw material supply challenges that keep industrial capacity utilisation critically low.
“Ending galamsey should be among the top priorities in any policy actions to revive and rejuvenate the agribusiness sector.”
The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana is the leading voice for agribusiness in the country, advocating policies that promote a sustainable, profitable and food-secure nation.
GNA
