Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says Ghana’s New Economy programme will boost local production, cut imports, and create jobs. He told officials at the Ministry of Finance in Accra that the government wants to produce more of what Ghanaians consume.
“Our mission is to produce more of what we consume and create more jobs here at home,” Dr Forson said during the meeting.
He challenged the idea of relying on imports, saying every imported product should push Ghana to build the capacity to make it locally. “Every import is an opportunity to ask: why can’t we make it in Ghana?” he added.
The New Economy is about changing direction. Dr Forson described it as “a decisive shift towards a productive, job-creating and prosperous nation.” He summed up the programme’s goal with the line: “That is the promise of the New Economy: Ghana producing. Ghanaians working. Prosperity growing!”
The minister’s comments come as the government seeks to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported goods. By encouraging local manufacturing, the New Economy aims to generate more employment opportunities for Ghanaians.
Dr Forson’s insistence on local production echoes a wider push by the government to strengthen domestic industries. The plan is to make Ghana less reliant on foreign products and more self-sufficient.
This approach could affect a range of sectors, from agriculture and textiles to technology and consumer goods. The government has not yet provided detailed plans on how it will support businesses to meet this goal.
Still, Dr Forson’s words signal a clear intention to prioritise job creation within Ghana’s borders. By focusing on producing what the country consumes, the government hopes to stimulate economic growth and lower unemployment.
The New Economy programme reflects broader efforts to shift Ghana’s economy from one that imports heavily to one that generates wealth through local industry.
Dr Forson’s remarks underline the government’s view that economic prosperity depends on Ghanaians working and producing at home. The Finance Minister’s emphasis on local capacity challenges industries and entrepreneurs to rise to this ambition.
While the details of the New Economy’s implementation remain to be seen, the message from the Ministry of Finance is straightforward: Ghana must build its own products and create its own jobs to grow its economy.
According to Joy Online.
