By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])
Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, has underscored intentional value-chain financing’s importance as a transformative tool to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s agribusiness sector.
He stated that enhancing access to targetted funding across the agricultural value chain is key to boosting productivity, driving industrialisation and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement forum in Accra on value-chain investments, Mr. Ahi explained that the ministry’s expanded mandate – now incorporating agribusiness – positions it strategically to coordinate innovative financing mechanisms and strengthen the agricultural value chain from input supply through to processing and export.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy. In 2023, it contributed 21.1 percent to GDP and employed about 34 percent of the workforce. However, smallholder farmers and agribusinesses continue to face persistent challenges – especially access to finance,” he noted.
According to the deputy minister, value-chain financing provides a viable solution by ensuring resources reach all actors across the chain – farmers, processors, marketers and exporters – creating a more integrated and efficient system to support national food security and industrialisation objectives.
He announced that the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) is developing a National Agribusiness Policy, with a forthcoming National Agribusiness Dialogue set to serve as a platform for cross-sectoral consultation and collaboration.
Cold Chain Infrastructure
Mr. Ahi also highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in enhancing agribusiness competitiveness, particularly in the area of cold chain logistics.
He said the country could potentially generate up to US$900million annually from improved cold chain systems in the fruit and vegetable value chains – though he did not provide a detailed breakdown.
“Infrastructure such as cold chain logistics is essential to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance export value. We are keen to see increased investments in this area,” he said.
To support SMEs, the ministry is working through agencies such as the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) to provide training, technology access, certification support and improved financing.
To deepen value-chain financing further, the deputy minister indicated that the ministry is exploring partnerships with commercial banks, development finance institutions and risk-sharing schemes like the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) to ensure smallholder farmers and agribusinesses can access much-needed capital.
Mr. Ahi emphasised that when designed and executed effectively, value-chain financing holds the potential to enhance Ghana’s resilience, improve rural livelihoods and transform agriculture into a commercially viable, export-oriented engine of growth.
“We urge all stakeholders – government, private sector and development partners – to unite in building robust value chains that deliver shared prosperity,” he said.
Partnerships
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture John Dumelo reiterated the importance of value addition in creating jobs and wealth.
He urged financial institutions to actively support agribusiness SMEs, many of which are constrained by limited collateral and high interest rates.
“We are committed to building strategic partnerships that will bridge financing gaps and enable the private sector to thrive. Adding value at every stage – from farm to fork – is what will make Ghana competitive on the global stage,” he said.
GBHub Africa’s commitment
The event, organised by GBHub Africa, brought together government officials, agribusiness leaders and development partners to explore strategies for transforming Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
In an interview, Executive Director-GBHub Africa Nelson Madiba Amo reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to investing in bold agribusiness solutions.
“We don’t just finance agribusinesses – we are partners in building a sustainable future for Africa’s agriculture,” he said.
Seeded with a US$10million fund from GB Foods Africa – makers of brands like Gino and Pomo – GBHub focuses on supporting businesses across the agricultural value chain with tailored financing, including local currency loans at 5 percent interest per annum, equity and convertible debt.
Beyond finance, GBHub also provides business development support, market linkages, mentoring and technical assistance to help SMEs grow sustainably. The initiative targets ventures that are creating measurable impact in areas such as nutrition, job creation and business growth.
Implementation and Data
In a panel discussion experts from the agriculture and finance sectors echoed the need for enhanced collaboration, intentional partnerships, and data-driven solutions to unlock the sector’s potential.
“Policy is important, but implementation is more crucial. We need coordinated efforts across ministries to align production with market demands,” one expert said.
Another panellist noted the role of digital tools and traceability in de-risking agricultural financing and building investor confidence.
