Trade Minister commends Rural Enterprises Programme for driving rural industrialization in Ghana
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has praised the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) for its outstanding contributions to rural industrialisation and entrepreneurship in Ghana over the past three decades.
Speaking at the Programme Completion Stakeholders Workshop in Accra, in a speech delivered on her behalf, the Minister noted that the conclusion of REP III marks not only the end of a 12-year phase but also the consolidation of 30 years of national commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), creating jobs, and fostering inclusive growth.
She highlighted REP’s landmark achievements, including the establishment of 95 Business Advisory Centres, 76 Business Resource Centres, and 31 Technology Solution Centres nationwide. The programme has also strengthened key national institutions such as the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), GRATIS Foundation, and ARB Apex Bank, positioning them as central pillars for skills development, agribusiness expansion, and technological innovation.
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“Beyond supporting enterprises, REP has reshaped national MSME policy, transformed the NBSSI into GEA, and retooled GRATIS Foundation into a national hub for technical innovation,” Hon. Ofosu-Adjare emphasised.
The Minister further noted government’s renewed emphasis on agribusiness under President John Dramani Mahama, stressing that the Ministry’s restructuring reflects a strategic focus on value addition, the use of local raw materials, and district-level industrial transformation.
She expressed appreciation to development partners, particularly the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), for their sustained support, and called for deeper collaboration to protect and build on REP’s legacy.
“As we close this chapter, let us move from project-based interventions to nationally owned systems that deliver lasting benefits for rural communities,” she urged.
The workshop convened stakeholders from development partners, government agencies, and the private sector to reflect on REP’s impact, share lessons learned, and chart the next phase of rural enterprise development in Ghana.
