Agricultural workers have welcomed President John Mahama’s policy eliminating import duties on agro-processing machinery, announced July 28, 2025.
Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), called the move a direct response to longstanding industry advocacy. He credited persistent campaigning, notably alongside Channel One News, for influencing the decision.
Tagoe expressed cautious optimism during the National Agribusiness Dialogue in Accra, stressing that implementation will define the policy’s success. “Why impose high duties when growing our agro-economy?” he remarked to Citi Business News, urging immediate action by relevant institutions. The union leader warned that bureaucratic delays could undermine the waiver’s impact, citing past administrative hurdles.
He highlighted complexities in accessing similar benefits, noting applicants often navigate multiple agencies merely to obtain port clearance documents.
“Without streamlined processes,” Tagoe cautioned, “importers risk paying more than intended at ports.” The policy forms part of broader government efforts to boost value addition in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
