President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to make about US$2 billion available every year to support investments in nine strategic sectors capable of generating large-scale employment.
The President said the initiative would form part of the government’s next phase of economic policy, with a particular focus on creating jobs for young people.
He disclosed this when traditional leaders from the Ahafo Region paid a courtesy call on him to discuss development priorities and challenges facing the region.
“We want to make about $2 billion available every year in key sectors that can create jobs, but it will be driven mostly by the private sector,” he explained.
According to President Mahama, agriculture will be a major beneficiary of the initiative, with oil palm and poultry production identified as areas with potential to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imports while expanding local industry.
“There’s no reason why we should be importing vegetable cooking oil when we have the land to produce the oil palm ourselves,” he said.
He called on traditional leaders to support the programme by making land available for commercial agricultural projects and participating in the ventures.
The President said the employment strategy would be backed by the 2027 budget and would seek to use private-sector investment to expand opportunities across the economy.
He also announced plans to establish 24-hour markets in all 261 districts to provide markets for farmers and stimulate local commerce.
The initiative forms part of government’s broader job-creation agenda as the administration shifts its focus towards expanding economic opportunities following its initial efforts to restore economic stability.
