GIPA CEO calls for shift from raw material exports to value addition

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA), Simon Madjie, has called for a shift from raw material exports towards value addition to accelerate Ghana’s industrial transformation.

According to him, Ghana must leverage its mineral and cocoa resources to develop local industries, create jobs and strengthen control over its natural resources.

Mr Madjie made the call at the 15th Ghana Economic Forum, hosted by the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) in Accra, under the theme “From Stabilisation to Scale: Mobilising Capital, Technology and Policy for Ghana’s Next Industrial Wave.”

He said moving beyond raw material exports by 2030 required deliberate efforts to attract investment and expand domestic processing capacity.

According to him, natural resources should serve as a foundation for industrial development rather than being treated solely as commodities for export.

Mr Madjie emphasised the importance of attracting international private capital, noting that investors were expected to pay taxes, create jobs, transfer technology and operate responsibly in exchange for access to Ghana’s markets and natural resources.

He urged foreign investors to integrate Ghanaian businesses into their value chains to build local capacity and competitiveness.

The GIPA CEO also highlighted the need for legal and regulatory reforms to strengthen investor protection and reduce barriers to doing business.

However, he stressed that reforms must be supported by an enabling business environment that encouraged collaboration between local and foreign investors.

He said stronger partnerships, technology transfer and local participation were essential to building Ghanaian businesses and sustaining long-term industrial growth.