Vice-President Opoku-Agyemang and Industry Experts Advocate for Local Investment and Sustainable Export Standards

Ghana is intensifying efforts to bolster its domestic economy and secure a competitive edge in global markets through a series of strategic initiatives focused on horticulture, tourism, and industrial sustainability. Speaking at the opening of the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show in Accra, Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang underscored the economic potential of the horticultural sector, advocating for its transformation into a sustainable industry capable of significant job creation. Under the theme "Green Means Business, Beauty and More," the Vice-President emphasized that environmental protection and economic opportunity are inextricably linked. This sentiment was echoed by presidential advisor Augustus Goosie Tanoh and Stratcomm Africa’s Esther A. N. Cobbah, who both called for a unified commitment to infrastructure and resource management to foster growth.

Despite this drive for expansion, the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has raised concerns regarding bureaucratic bottlenecks that threaten the nation's export capabilities. Director-General Prof. George Agyei revealed that the GSA is currently facing significant delays in obtaining Ministry of Finance approvals to replace outdated laboratory equipment, even though the necessary funds are already available. These delays pose a direct risk to the testing and certification processes essential for Ghanaian products to meet international standards. Prof. Agyei warned that without modern equipment, the GSA may lose the certifications required to facilitate global market access for local exporters, potentially undermining the progress represented by the 1,200 product certificates already issued by the authority.

Parallel to these standard-setting efforts, the government is moving to protect Ghanaian heritage products and diversify the industrial landscape. The Ghana Industrial Property Office (GHIPO), under the Registrar General’s Department, recently hosted a workshop aimed at establishing "Akpeteshie"—a locally distilled gin—as a geographical indication (GI). Registrar-General Grace Ama Issahaque noted that protecting such products through intellectual property laws enhances branding and consumer confidence, while GHIPO’s Courage Komla Besah-Adanu stressed that improved production standards are vital for making traditional products competitive. This push for local ownership is mirrored in the tourism sector, where the new Chairman of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, urged Ghanaians to prioritize domestic investment over a reliance on foreign capital.

These domestic efforts are being complemented by international cooperation, specifically through a deepening green industrial partnership with Denmark. Jorgen Bollesen of the Danish Embassy recently highlighted that sustainable industrialization is no longer optional, as tightening global regulations demand both high quality and environmental responsibility. This focus on resilient supply chains is particularly timely given recent disruptions in the global manufacturing sector, such as the chemical incident at GKN Aerospace in California that has significantly hampered the global supply of aircraft windows. By adopting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and addressing internal procurement delays, Ghanaian industries aim to navigate such global volatility while securing a permanent foothold in premium international markets.