Minister-designate for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has emphasised the importance of adhering to strong governance practices and international standards to attract foreign investment.
During her vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 22, she highlighted the need for a transparent and investor-friendly environment, as well as strict compliance with international regulations.
“It is crucial that we do things right to access international markets,” she stated.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare stressed that she would collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to ensure that only approved chemicals are used in production.
She pointed out that failing to meet international standards would be a disservice to the country.
“If we work hard but our products don’t meet global standards, we are doing ourselves a disservice. Addressing this will help us access international markets and improve our economic prospects. We will also collaborate with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection to tackle issues like child labour,” she said.
She also emphasised the need for better standardisation and capacity building, which are key to meeting international market requirements.
“We need to improve our standards as a country. Sometimes, the challenge is a lack of knowledge. If we focus on capacity building, we can ensure compliance with global standards. Once these efforts are in place, our exports will rise, revenues will increase, and we will have a more stable economy,” she indicated.