The Government of Ghana is set to introduce a new policy requiring all state agencies to procure certain essential goods exclusively from local producers, in a bold move to boost the country’s industrial sector, create jobs, and reduce dependency on imports.

Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced the initiative during a meeting with the leadership of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), stressing that no country can truly develop without a strong industrial base.

He revealed that the government will soon publish a list of essential items that all public sector agencies will be required to source locally.

“To support our local industries, the government will soon publish a list of items that all public sector agencies must procure locally. This will ensure that government procurement serves as a tool to develop our industries. Going forward, any government procurement from outside Ghana will require special approval from the Office of the President," he stated.

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, lauded the government’s initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would revitalise the Ghanaian industrial sector. He pledged AGI’s readiness to collaborate closely with the government to ensure the success of the policy.

The upcoming policy forms part of broader government efforts to restructure the economy, strengthen the manufacturing sector, and achieve sustainable economic growth.

The Finance Minister further hinted at the establishment of a Local Content Compliance Unit within the Ministry of Finance. This unit, he said, will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring that ministries, departments, and agencies adhere strictly to the new local procurement policy.

He urged local manufacturers to ramp up production quality and capacity to meet the expected surge in demand, assuring them of government support through incentives, access to finance, and improved infrastructure.

Dr. Forson also underscored the urgent need to tackle smuggling, which he said is crippling local businesses. He explained that the government has identified key smuggling routes and will deploy a combined strategy involving enhanced border security, stricter enforcement, and collaboration with neighbouring countries to curb the menace.