President John Dramani Mahama has labelled smuggling as a major economic crime that will not go unpunished.
“Smuggling, under-declaration, counterfeit goods, and rebagging of inferior products are not minor infractions. They constitute economic sabotage,” President Mahama stated.
At a presidential dialogue with the private sector in Accra on Monday, he urged the sector to support the government in stemming the tide of smuggling and protecting Ghana’s emerging manufacturing industry.
“This government is determined to protect Ghanaian enterprises, so they can thrive and grow,” he assured.
The President’s warning follows the interception of trucks carrying assorted goods—including cooking oil, spaghetti, and tomato paste—declared for transit to Niger on February 18, 2026. The seized goods, which amounted to GH¢85.3 million in unpaid taxes, prompted the Finance Minister to order an immediate ban on the land transit of cooking oil in Ghana.
President Mahama emphasized that the private sector remains the engine of growth and must partner with government to deliver development that benefits the people. To this end, he tasked the manufacturing sub-sector to contribute 15 per cent to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030.
Observing that stability does not equate to transformation, the President noted that Ghana’s manufacturing sector has contributed around 10 per cent to GDP over the past five decades—a proportion that must increase.
“And so we need to change our trajectory. I, therefore, set a national target. Manufacturing must contribute at least 15 per cent of GDP by the year 2030. Supported by 500,000 new quality industrial jobs, this will require structural reform and not incremental adjustments,” he explained.
President Mahama assured that the government would create the right environment for the private sector to thrive.
“Industrialisation requires secure land tenure and protection of agricultural resources. In this regard, we will initiate litigation-free industrial land banks. Land reform is absolutely essential for our economic transformation,” he underlined.
He also indicated that sector-specific policy decisions in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, automobile, and textiles would be taken to drive local production.
“Cabinet would soon approve a national agribusiness policy to anchor the country’s aim for value addition,” President Mahama added.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
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