She called on the board of the agency to deliver measurable results in the trade, agribusiness, and industry sectors, indicating that key priorities for the GNPA included ensuring a reliable supply of strategic commodities, better prices, shorter lead times, and credible local participation, all in compliance with the Public Procurement Act (Act 63).

Speaking at the inauguration of a new nine-member Board at the ministry in Accra last Thursday, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said the agency was expected to adopt a strategy that supports industrialisation, agribusiness value chains, and exports, while promoting the "Made in Ghana" initiative.

Board Members

The board is chaired by Rev. Ernest Kwadwo Agyei with Ivy Emefa Adiko, Carey Yaw Owusu-Anti, Edinam Kojo Asamoah, Nana Opoku Fosu Gyeabour III, Stephen Kweku Bonnah, Henry Yaw Acheampong, Joseph Konadu and Prof. Frederick Dayour as members. 

Strong system

The Minister of Trade called on the board to initiate strong governance, transparency and accountability, urging the agency to establish robust systems and processes.

“Deliver value for money. Use demand aggregation and framework agreements, run transparent tenders, publish a simple price reference for key commodities, strengthen operations, build buffer stock capacity where justified, improve warehousing, logistics and distribution, raise supplier performance and support local industry.

“As the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, it is our responsibility to promote Made in Ghana, help it to thrive, because even as we pay attention to agribusiness, it means that we are going to add value to our raw materials, and we expect this board to ensure that the same is done seamlessly,” she said.

She said the GNPA was also expected to leverage data and digital tools to track performance, enhance local content, and support the government's 24-hour economy agenda.

GITC Board

The minister also inaugurated a new five-member board of the Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC), chaired by Felix Tawiah Yaw Akyea, with George Kobina Fynn, Barima Agyekum Hinneh, Kim Hussein Ibn Alhassan, and Elizabeth Essie Boadu-Mantey as members.

Ms Ofosu-Adjare charged them to uphold the principles of fairness and transparency while safeguarding the country's development in international trade negotiations and practices.

She said their role would be pivotal in guiding the operations of the commission towards building resilient value chains, supporting domestic and fostering an environment conducive to both local and foreign investment.

“You are to ensure that the GITC becomes a beacon of excellence in trade regulation, helping to unlock new opportunities for growth, employment and sustainable development for our nation.

“I entreat you to support the head of GITC, so that together you can excel, make a mark, make an impact,” the minister said. 

Appreciation

Speaking on behalf of the boards, Rev. Agyei expressed gratitude to God, the minister and the appointing authorities for the trust and confidence they had placed in the members of the board.

He described the appointment as “not merely a position, but a call to service, a call to lead with integrity, a call to uphold transparency, a call to ensure that every decision reflects the collective commitment of excellence and accountability”.

He added that procurement was central to the effective and ethical functioning of public institutions; hence, they must, therefore, conduct their duties with fairness, prudence, and an unwavering sense of responsibility to the nation.

For his part, the Board Chairman of the GITC, Mr Akyea, gave an assurance that, given the changes that were occurring in the international arena, they would face some challenges, but he remained optimistic that the board, together with the minister, would navigate the country onto the right path.