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

Dr Kofi Nsiah-Poku, the President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has been advocating for the expansion of incentives for the agriculture and agribusiness sectors in a bid to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This lobbying effort aims to ensure SMEs can fully capitalize on the growth policy. Nsiah-Poku made this statement at a training workshop for SMEs organized by the AGI in Ho.

The AGI is working in conjunction with the 24-hour economy secretariat to enhance incentives for agriculture and agri-processing. Nsiah-Poku explained that the association is preparing its members to become investment-ready, enabling them to access the incentives under the policy. Access to incentives is contingent upon having the right records.

Delia Gbeve, the chairman for the Volta, Oti, and Eastern Region, emphasized that the AGI is not exclusively for large companies but also supports smaller businesses. He reiterated that the AGI's primary goal is to groom these smaller organizations to become future giants or global giants in the Volta Region. Gbeve expressed optimism that the training would yield businesses capable of competing globally and boost the profile of the Volta Region.

The AGI's Vice-President for SMEs, Dela Gadzanku, highlighted that access to credit is crucial for the sustainability of businesses. The workshop serves as one of the practical interventions to support SMEs in their growth. Gadzanku stressed that businesses need access to credit, rather than just finance, to ensure long-term sustainability. He further emphasized the importance of this initiative and its role in strengthening SMEs and positioning them to benefit from the opportunities under the 24-hour economy policy.