Humphrey Ayim-Darke is the President of AGI
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is calling on the government to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted transition from the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative to the newly introduced 24-hour economy policy.
The appeal comes amid concerns from AGI members who continue to benefit from the 1D1F programme and fear that abrupt policy changes could disrupt their operations.
Speaking at the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition 2025 in Accra on September 16, 2025, AGI President, Humphrey Ayim-Darke, underscored the importance of preserving the tax exemptions granted under the 1D1F initiative.
He urged the government to not only maintain these incentives but also enhance them under the 24-hour economy framework to drive industrial growth and job creation.
“Incentives for industries are a necessity, such as the tax exemption regime that can trigger the expansion of businesses. And I say this with reference to some of the recent developments surrounding the 1D1F policy, of which a number of our members are still beneficiaries,” he said.
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He further said; “We expect that for such beneficiaries, there will be a smooth transition from the 1D1F policy to more beneficial incentives under the 24-hour economy policy to prevent disruptions in our business activities.”
Ayim-Darke also voiced concern over the growing influx of parallel imports—foreign-made products that directly compete with locally manufactured goods.
These imports, often cheaper and insufficiently regulated, are placing Ghanaian producers at a disadvantage.
“Local manufacturers are under pressure from a wave of cheaper, unregulated imports. These products often evade proper checks, giving them an unfair cost edge. We urge regulators to intervene and correct these market distortions,” he said.
Beyond incentives and import controls, Ayim-Darke emphasized the need for fair and predictable electricity tariffs.
He noted that balanced pricing is essential for maintaining industrial competitiveness and ensuring consistent operations across the sector.
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