The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has praised the government’s decision to waive import duties on agro-processing machinery, describing it as a significant boost for the agricultural sector.
President John Dramani Mahama announced the initiative on Monday, July 28, 2025, as part of broader efforts to promote local investment in agricultural processing and value addition.
Speaking to the media, at the National Agribusiness Dialogue in Accra, GAWU’s General Secretary, Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, welcomed the move and emphasized the importance of effective implementation.
“Someone is clearly listening to the advocacy we’ve done, especially with Channel One News,” Tagoe said. “Listening to the president this morning, I felt many of our long-standing concerns were finally being addressed.”
He criticized the previous imposition of high import duties on agricultural machinery, questioning the logic in a country heavily dependent on agriculture.
“Why impose such high costs on machinery when we claim to support agro-industrial growth? We welcome this policy, but now we expect timely and effective execution,” he added.
Tagoe also highlighted bureaucratic hurdles in accessing duty exemptions and called for a streamlined, transparent process.
“Often, applicants must navigate multiple agencies just to obtain a waiver letter. If the system isn’t simplified, many may end up paying more at the port than necessary. That must change.”
GAWU urged all relevant institutions to act swiftly to ensure the policy benefits farmers and agro-processors nationwide.
