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

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare announced that Cabinet has approved the establishment of two new cashew processing factories in the Bono Region and Bono East Region.

The Minister also outlined efforts to restore operations at the Komenda Sugar Factory, commissioned in 2016 with the capacity to process 1,250 metric tonnes of sugarcane daily. She noted that despite its potential to generate jobs and stimulate economic growth, technical, financial, and operational challenges have hindered full operations.

Upon assuming office, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare visited Komenda to engage chiefs, farmers, and key stakeholders. Subsequently, the Government established an Interim Management Committee to conduct a thorough technical and financial assessment and develop a sustainable turnaround roadmap. The Ministry 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.

The Minister also provided an update on the draft Ghana Automotive Component Manufacturing Development Policy, a key part of the Industrial Transformation Agenda. The policy 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. The draft has been circulated to relevant ministries, and discussions will soon be held with the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to align proposed incentives before submission to Cabinet.

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare emphasised that the policy offers a major opportunity to deepen industrialisation, create skilled jobs, expand exports, and position Ghana as West Africa’s automotive hub. She also highlighted interventions under the Accelerated Export Development Programme, aimed at stimulating domestic production and increasing export volumes.

The Minister cited several achievements under her ministry, including:


  • Distribution of over 211,000 coconut seedlings to farmers to diversify export products

  • Advisory support to 850 MSMEs to enhance market 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

  • Strengthened certification and inspection systems by the Ghana Standards Authority to improve product competitiveness

She also highlighted 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.

Regarding the Accelerated Export Development Advisory Committee, chaired by President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister said it will provide strategic guidance for value addition and economic diversification under the 24-Hour+ Economy policy.

Additionally, the Ministry is pursuing the establishment of three new garment factories through Public-Private Partnerships and the revitalisation of key industrial assets to boost production and create jobs.

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and export-driven economy—one that generates jobs, strengthens local industry, and secures Ghana’s position as a competitive industrial hub in Africa.