The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to revitalising Ghana’s industrial sector, expanding exports, and positioning the country as a competitive manufacturing hub in West Africa.

She revealed that the Cabinet has approved the establishment of two new cashew factories in the Bono and Bono East regions.

Answering questions on the floor of Parliament in Accra on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Minister outlined decisive steps being taken to restore operations at the Komenda Sugar Factory, which was commissioned in 2016 to serve as a major agro-industrial enclave with the capacity to process 1,250 metric tonnes of sugarcane daily.

She noted that despite its enormous potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the Central Region and beyond, years of technical, financial, and operational challenges have stalled its full operations.

Upon assuming office, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare visited Komenda to engage chiefs, farmers and key stakeholders. Following that engagement, the Government constituted an Interim Management Committee to conduct a comprehensive technical and financial assessment and develop a sustainable turnaround roadmap.

The Ministry, she said, has prioritised the engagement of a Transaction Advisor to attract a strategic investor, with provisions made in the 2026 Budget to support the factory’s full operationalisation.

Ofosu-Adjare further updated Parliament on the status of the draft Ghana Automotive Component Manufacturing Development Policy, a key pillar of the country’s Industrial Transformation Agenda.

The policy the Minister indicated is designed to attract investment into vehicle component manufacturing, strengthen standards, build technical skills, and integrate local enterprises into regional and global value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

According to the Minister, the draft policy has been circulated to relevant ministries for input, and discussions will soon be held with the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to align proposed incentives before submission to Cabinet.

She emphasised that the policy presents a significant opportunity to deepen industrialisation, create skilled jobs, expand exports and position Ghana as West Africa’s automotive hub.

Ofosu-Adjare further highlighted interventions under the Accelerated Export Development Programme aimed at stimulating domestic production and increasing export volumes.

The Trade and Industry Minister again touched on key achievements within her outfit notably, the Distribution of over 211,000 coconut seedlings to farmers to diversify export products, Advisory support to 850 MSMEs to enhance market penetration and competitiveness, Successful engagement with the Bank of Ghana to extend the export proceeds repatriation period from 60 to 120 days, Deployment of a single-window export platform by the Ghana Free Zones Authority and Strengthened certification and inspection systems by the Ghana Standards Authority to improve product competitiveness among others.

The Minister also underscored the implementation of the “Feed the Industry” initiative under Ghana FIRST, which integrates agriculture and agro-processing to ensure a reliable raw material supply for local industries.

On the Accelerated Export Development Advisory Committee, chaired by President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister stated that the committee will provide strategic direction for value addition and economic diversification under the 24-Hour+ Economy policy.

According to her, the Ministry is currently pursuing the establishment of three new garment factories through Public-Private Partnerships and the revitalisation of key industrial assets to boost production and job creation.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry in building a resilient, inclusive and export-driven economy one that creates jobs, strengthens local industry, and secures Ghana’s place as a competitive industrial hub in Africa.