The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has expressed strong approval for the government’s recent decision to waive import duties on agro-processing machinery.
President John Dramani Mahama announced this measure on Monday, July 28, 2025, as part of broader efforts to boost local investment in agricultural processing and value addition.
Speaking to Citi Business News at the National Agribusiness Dialogue in Accra, GAWU’s General Secretary, Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, welcomed the move and urged relevant institutions to ensure its full and effective implementation.
“Someone is clearly listening to the advocacy we’ve done—especially alongside Channel One News. We’ve raised these issues many times. Listening to the president this morning, I felt many of our concerns were being addressed,” Tagoe stated, highlighting the union’s long-standing call for such a policy.
Tagoe questioned the previous policy of imposing high import duties on essential agricultural equipment, particularly in a nation heavily reliant on its agricultural sector. “Why impose high import duties on agricultural machinery when we aim to grow our agro-based economy? We’re happy with this move, but now we expect implementation. Institutions must begin work immediately.”
He also pointed out existing challenges in accessing such exemptions, appealing to authorities to simplify the process. “When you try to benefit from these waivers, you often have to go through several institutions just to get a letter to show at the port. If the process isn’t streamlined, you may end up paying more at the port than you should. That needs to change,” Tagoe emphasized, advocating for a more straightforward and efficient system.
