Augustus ‘Goosie’ Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development
The Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programmes, Augustus “Goosie” Tanoh, has urged Ghanaian exporters to prepare for international markets by meeting required standards.
Speaking at the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) Forum held at CalBank PLC’s Head Office on the theme “Ghana’s Proposed 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Policies,” Tanoh noted:
“The international market is becoming more constricted by the day. There is a net benefit for Ghana, and we can take advantage of that, but how long that window of opportunity will remain open is uncertain.”
He pointed to growing uncertainty in global trade, casting doubt on the continued applicability of agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. law enacted in 2000 that offers preferential access to the U.S. market for eligible sub-Saharan African countries, which may not remain in force beyond 2026.
Tanoh also highlighted the increasing engagement of the European Union and the United Kingdom with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), a South American trading bloc, as a potential challenge to Ghana’s sustained export access to those markets.
He stressed that Ghanaian exporters must be proactive in capitalising on the opportunities presented by these global uncertainties and avoid associated pitfalls through the 24-Hour Economy programme.
“If we are going to be export competitive, then we must be price competitive. Part of the technology adaptation programme for industry embedded in the 24-Hour Economy value chains is aimed at improving precision and quality, making us not only volume-ready but also quality-ready. That way, regardless of trade barriers, we will be prepared to penetrate the market.”
He encouraged exporters to focus on goods in which Ghana has a natural competitive advantage, saying:
“Those are the things we need to pursue, perfect, and incentivise.”
The forum was organised by the UKGCC in response to findings from its 2024 Business Environment and Competitiveness Survey Report, conducted with support from the UK government’s Jobs and Economic Transformation (JET) Programme and the Palladium Group.
Eugene Sangmortey, Team Leader of the Ghana JET Programme, stated that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, and the Ghana Standards Authority, is working to address key constraints within Ghana’s business environment to stimulate growth.
“Our mission is to improve the prospects for better livelihoods among Ghanaians by supporting economic transformation and the creation of quality jobs across five strategic manufacturing sectors: textiles and garments, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and light manufacturing. JET aims to spur £120 million in investments, drive innovation within these sectors, and create at least 7,000 jobs,” Sangmortey said.
