Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson says government is gearing up to roll out a local procurement policy aimed at promoting homegrown industries and cutting down on Ghana’s dependence on imported goods.

Speaking at a strategic engagement with executives of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr. Forson outlined plans to make it mandatory for all public sector institutions to source selected essential commodities directly from domestic producers.

“To support our local industries, the government will soon publish a list of items that all public sector agencies must procure locally,” he said, adding that “any government procurement from outside Ghana will require special approval from the Office of the President.”

The Finance Minister lamented the nation’s ongoing reliance on imports for everyday staples like sugar and rice, despite the local capacity to produce them. He said the new directive will serve as a key pillar in efforts to revitalise Ghana’s manufacturing sector and expand job opportunities.

Alongside the local procurement agenda, Dr. Forson raised concerns about the persistent challenge of goods being smuggled into the country, which he described as a major threat to the survival of local businesses.

“Smuggled goods are crippling our local businesses, and we are determined to stop it,” he warned. He revealed that government has mapped out major smuggling routes and will soon introduce strict enforcement measures to tackle the issue head-on.

He further called for increased collaboration between state institutions and private sector stakeholders, encouraging industry leaders to engage in a working session on how local enterprises can align with the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.

According to Dr. Forson, “robust partnerships will be key to sustaining long-term growth and enhancing local production capacity.”

AGI President, Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, welcomed the policy direction and praised the government’s renewed focus on industrial transformation. He was hopeful that stronger ties between government and industry players would help boost the performance and global competitiveness of Ghanaian manufacturers.

He added that the planned procurement policy has the potential to channel public spending into sectors that will yield direct benefits for the country’s economy.