A former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi
A former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, has expressed concern over the government’s failure to outline a clear policy on export trade, particularly regarding the industrial sector.
He also criticised the current administration for not providing a comprehensive plan to address the challenges faced by exporters and industrial players.
In a video shared on X on April 8, 2025, he stated, “I drew attention to the public that government has not given clear policy direction that would deal with this ramification, specifically on export, and also how to tackle issues like this in the future.”
He emphasised that most individuals involved in export are from the industrial sector, which plays a key role in economic and national viability.
“Note that most of the people in this business are people in industry, and the industrial sector is a sector that will make the country very viable and also sustainable. Therefore, I believe that every government must take so much interest in the industrial sector,” he said.
Baafi highlighted that developed nations such as the United States, China, and the UK attained economic success through strong industrial foundations.
“Because note that almost all the first world countries in the world, America, Canada, China, Japan, Britain, all of them are where they are because of industrialisation. So, we believe that the only way out for us as a country is to industrialize: to be able to set up manufacturing setups, add value to raw materials produced in this country so we can sell more here and export more to earn foreign exchange to support our country,” he explained.
He expressed concern over what he perceives as a lack of clarity and precision from the current government in terms of export trade policy:
“This is why I believe that this government does not show much precision in the area of specifically letting us know the policy direction for export trade.”
Baafi praised the previous government under President Akufo-Addo for its industrialisation initiative, specifically the One District One Factory (1D1F) policy:
“That’s how come our government, [Akufo-Addo] implemented the policy of 1D1F, intentionally trying to industrialise Ghana.”
However, he expressed worry over the apparent replacement of that policy, questioning the specifics and effectiveness of any new initiative.
Watch the video below:
1D1F was implemented by former President Akufo-Addo’s government to intentionally try to industrialise Ghana… – Michael Okyere Baafi (MP, New Juaben South)#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork#GHOneTV #NewsAlert #StateOfAffairs @_KodjoMensah pic.twitter.com/MpKLMjQiKZ
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) April 8, 2025
RAD/MA
Meanwhile, watch as Virginia Palmer commends Ghana’s contributions to global security below: