The agro-processing industry and its potential for structural transformation of the ghanaian economy

The chapter examines the role of the agro-processing economy as a crucial engine for structural transformation in Ghana. We first discuss the evolutionary process of policies that have been enacted to promote the activities of the agricultural sector, and how these may have affected the agro-processing sector, given existing linkages. We also provide a discussion of the evolution and structure of agro-processing firms in Ghana, with some emphasis on their performance and constraints. We describe value chain activities of four key agro-processing subsectors in Ghana, in addition to case studies of firms in the fruit and fruit juices and nuts and oils subsectors. We emphasize the potential of the Ghanaian agro-processing industry in contributing to sustained growth and development.