AGI lobbying 24-Hour Economy Secretariat to expand incentives—AGI President

Dr Kofi Nsiah-Poku, President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has been advocating for the expansion of incentives for agriculture and agribusiness sectors. The objective is to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can fully capitalize on the policy to bolster their operations, according to Nsiah-Poku.

This was revealed during a media briefing at a one-day training workshop for SMEs organized by AGI in Ho. Nsiah-Poku highlighted that AGI is collaborating closely with the 24-hour economy secretariat to broaden their efforts in the agriculture and agri-processing domains. The association is preparing its members to become investment-ready, enabling them to access the incentives anticipated to be offered under the policy.

Nsiah-Poku emphasized the need for SMEs to have the necessary documentation to claim the incentives that will be made available.

Dela Gbeve, AGI's representative for the Volta, Oti, and Eastern Regions, confirmed that the association is not solely focused on large companies but is equally dedicated to supporting smaller businesses. Gbeve stated that AGI's mission extends to nurturing these smaller organizations, enabling them to evolve into future giants or global players in the Volta Region. Gbeve expressed optimism that the training would foster businesses well-equipped to compete at a global level and establish the Volta Region on the world map.

Dela Gadzanku, AGI's Vice-President for SMEs, added that access to credit is pivotal for business sustainability. He noted that the training workshop was among the practical steps being undertaken to aid SMEs in their growth. Gadzanku stressed that businesses require access to credit, rather than just finance, to maintain their viability. He emphasized that access to credit, rather than merely finance, is crucial for business sustainability, and this principle has guided the program's development.