{
  "id": 10388253,
  "title": "New economy to prioritise local production, create jobs – Ato Forson",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/new-economy-to-prioritise-local-production-create-jobs-ato-forson",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T07:02:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/new-economy-to-prioritise-local-production-create-jobs-ato-forson/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, announced plans to invest US$1.6 billion in the New Economy programme, with the aim of prioritizing local production and job creation. The initiative, expected to be a major focus of the 2027 Budget, seeks to move the economy beyond stabilization towards increased production, private sector growth, and wealth generation.\n\nDr Forson emphasized the government's desire to change the way Ghana approaches imports by identifying products that could be manufactured within the country. He stated, \"Every import is an opportunity to ask, 'Why can't we make it in Ghana?'\" This strategy would direct investment towards areas where Ghana has the capacity to build competitive industries, while simultaneously reducing dependence on imported goods.\n\nThe proposed investment, equivalent to about one percent of Ghana's GDP, will target sectors such as commercial agriculture, value addition in the mining sector, energy, and transport infrastructure. Projects under consideration include gas-to-power and gas-to-fertiliser initiatives, as well as infrastructure projects like the Western Railway Line.\n\nThe government's approach is designed to stimulate production, create an environment for businesses to expand, increase exports, and provide employment opportunities for more Ghanaians. Speaking at a meeting with industry leaders, Dr Forson stated that the New Economy strategy places domestic production at the center of Ghana's next phase of development. He expressed the government's mission to produce more of what the country consumes and create more jobs at home, stating, \"Ghana producing. Ghanaians working. Prosperity growing.\"\n\nThe Finance Minister also mentioned that the government expects the strategy to strengthen productive sectors and open up greater opportunities for private-sector investment and expansion.",
  "summary": "The government is preparing to channel about US$1.6 billion into strategic sectors as part of its New Economy programme, with Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson saying the focus will be on producing more goods locally and creating jobs. The programme, expected to feature prominently in the 2027 Budget, is intended to move the economy […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana's Finance Minister Dr Ato Forson plans US$1.6 billion investment in New Economy program.",
    "Initiative aims to prioritize local production, create jobs, move beyond stabilization.",
    "Focus on commercial agriculture, mining value addition, energy, transport infrastructure."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "New Economy will turn imports into opportunities for Ghanaian production – Ato Forson",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/new-economy-will-turn-imports-into-opportunities-for-ghanaian",
        "published": "2026-09-28T05:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "New Economy programme will boost local production, create jobs - Ato Forson",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/new-economy-programme-will-boost-local-production-create-jobs-ato",
        "published": "2026-09-28T06:21:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}