• Language
  • EN
  • Font Size
  • A
  • A
  • A
 

  • Leatherline

  • African PlatformGhana

     

    Country Information

    Ghana is the gateway to the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) a sub-regional economic grouping with market access to over 260 million people. The country’s economy if fully liberalized with a strong government commitment to private sector development. Current socio-economic environment allows individuals to use their full potential to create wealth.
    Country Size: 238,539 square kilometres
    Population: 21.03 million
    Currency: Cedi (GH ¢)
    Languages: English
    Capital City: Accra
    GDP (US$): 8.7 billion
    Main Economic Sectors: Ghana has twice the per capita output as the poorer countries in the West Africa region and is the second most populous country in West Africa. With a Gross National Income (GNI) of US$ 6.6 billion (2002). It has a GDP Growth Rate of 9%. Ghana is well endowed with natural and mineral resources. The economy is predominantly agriculture which contributes about 35% of GDP and employs about 55% of the work force, mainly smallholder. Industry and Services contribute 25% and 39% respectively (2002 est.). Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy and holds a lot of attraction for investors.
    Main Exports: Gold, bauxite, manganese, diamond, timber, cocoa, fish and fish products, horticultural products.
    Main Imports: Plant, machinery and transportation equipment, motor vehicles, petroleum products and consumer goods (US$ 5.26 million, FOB 2005)
    Industry (Main Industries): Mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminium, food processing
    Natural Resources: Gold, bauxite, manganese, diamond, timber, hydropower.
    Agriculture
    (Main Products):    		 Fishing, cocoa, cassava, yam, rice, coffee, peanuts, soya bean, shea nuts, horticultural crops, timber
    International Organization Member: All international organizations including ACP/EU, WTO, ECOWAS, AU, IMF, World Bank, British Commonwealth, FAO,WHO, OIE, Codex Alimentarius.
    Infrastructure: Sea ports: Tema and Takoradi Harbours

    Airports: Kotoka International Airport, Kumasi Airport, Tamale Airport, Takoradi Airport, Sunyani Airport

    Railway: 953 km linking major cities (Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi), mining centres (Oboasi, Tarkwa) and the Tema harbour.

    Water Transport: 1,293 km arterial and feeder waterways.

    Road Transport:  191,000 km of road network of which 19,000 is tarred. 

    Communications: Mobile cellular - 3,800,000; Fixed line telephones - 348,400; Payphones - 11600;  Teledensity 19% (June 2006) and 128 Internet Data Service Providers (2004).
    Other: The economy of Ghana has experienced a steady and positive growth as a result of policy reforms and the market economy. This has led to improved macroeconomic performance and created an enabling business environment. These reforms have been characterized by reduction in inflation, fairy stable exchange rates, relatively low interest rates and high economic growth. Ghana has a GDP per capita of US$420 with a real GDP growth of 5.9% and Gross Foreign Exchange Reserve of US$1,894 Million and has Sovereign Credit rating of B+ (Standard & Poors; Fich, 2005). The country is ranked 9th in the world and 1st in Africa, with regard to the countries that have increased reforms to improve the ease of doing business (World Bank and International Finance Corporation, 2006). Good governance and adherence to market economy has earned Ghana an amount of US$547 million under the Millennium Challenge Account, an initiative of the government of the United States of America, intended to support developing countries in their efforts to at poverty reduction and wealth creation. These, coupled with the proximity of Ghana to EU and USA markets (6 and 9 hours flight time respectively) as well as duty and quota free access to USA (AGOA) and EU (ACP-EU) markets makes Ghana a preferable place to do business.Ghana has the 3rd best performing Stock Exchange in the world (2004) with US$ return of 86.5% (2004). The Stock Market has 29 companies listed.

    Livestock

    Cattle Population: 1,359,000
    Sheep Population: 3,112,000
    Goat Population: 3,925,000
    Camel Population: Nil
    Other Population: 297,000 (Pigs)
    Cattle Off Take Rates: 11%
    Sheep Off Take Rates: 30%
    Goat Off Take Rates: 30%
    Camel Off Take Rates: Nil
    Livestock Policy: The vision of Ghana's livestock development is "a well developed, modernized, efficient and profitable livestock industry capable of responding to all the livestock needs of the nation in a sustainable manner and in consonance with supporting livelihoods to ensure poverty reduction and national growth".

    The goals are:

    1. Increasing the supply of meat, animal and dairy products from domestic production from the current aggregate level of 30% to 80% and 

    2. Contributing to the reduction of the incidence of poverty among food farmers (who are also livestock keepers) from 59% to 30% by the year 2015. 

    The role of the public sector in livestock production is to perform only those activities which are essentially of public nature, e.g. enforcement of regulations, epidemiological and statistical services, detection and control of major epizootic diseases, and livestock research. 

    The policy guidelines are:

    • Establish a Livestock Development Council for policy direction and oversight activities to advance livestock development.
    • Support private sector participation in the delivery and funding of livestock extension services.
    • Encourage improvement of indigenous breeds for meat production through selection of local breeds to build on existing desired traits and develop dairy breeds appropriate for environment.
    • Conserve local breeds so as to maintain their desirable resistance attributes for future exploitation.
    • Encourage co-production and management of grazing fields and stock water.
    • Support communities in their initial costs of establishing grazing field and stock water facilities.
    • Set up a special fund for compensation to livestock keepers where in-contact animals need to be destroyed.
    • Set up Veterinary Pharmacy Board to control/regulate importation and distribution of drugs and vaccines.
    • Support the private sector to process, package and distribute crop residue and industrial by-product for livestock feeding.
    • Develop framework for livestock research prioritization, co-ordination, networking, monitoring and evaluation and ensure that research-extension Linkage committees put greater emphasis on extension of livestock technologies.*Organise proper periodic livestock census to provide reliable data for planning and establish a bank for livestock data.
    • Set up standing committee of all regulatory agencies to ensure cooperation, collaboration, efficiency and effectiveness in their operations and achievements of common or overlapping objectives.
    • Provide mass treatment and vaccination against highly contagious and infectious diseases at regular intervals in a manner that will cover the poor livestock keepers.
    • Introduce full cost recovery of all vaccinations against non-schedule diseases, curative treatments and veterinary drugs in the public sector in order to eliminate unfair competition to private practice.
    • Liberalize the procurement and distribution of veterinary drugs.
    • Promote privatization of animal health service through the use of Community Livestock Workers to administer basic treatment of livestock ailments and withdraw of government service in areas where veterinarians establish private practice.
    • Establish quality standards for manufactured feed and monitor these standards through regular laboratory analysis of samples and publish the results in mass media.
    • Use tariff measures when necessary, on meat imports to ensure fair competition in the local market.
    • Develop national capacity of personnel and equipment for meat and milk processing and encourage private sector to take up processing.
    • Enforce the use of approved vehicles properly designed for movement of livestock and meat
     
    Slaughter Facilities: Mechanized with cold storage: 3
    Mechanized without cold storage: 2
    Slaughter slabs: 300

    Industry profile

    Hides and skins

    Tanning

    SWOT analysis

    blue line

     Hides and skins

    Quantity Hides: 149,500
    Quantity Sheep: 933,600
    Quantity Goat: 1,177,500
    Annual Collection Level Hides: Not known
    Annual Collection Level Sheep: Not known
    Annual Collection Level Goat: Not known
    Flaying Methods: Knife flayed
    Preservation Methods: 70% Ground dried, 30% Air dried
    Grading Systems, available grades and percentage of Each: Grade 1 - Air dried, Grade 2 - Ground dried
    Hides & skins trade channels: Households, small collectors, leather good manufacturers, cottage tanners
    Market (%): International: 5%
    Local: 95%
    Major Markets: Tamale, Bolgatanga (both in Ghana) and France
    Annual Export Value (US$): 1.2 million USD (including skins on Djembe drums)
    Average market Bovine price: 15 US$/pc
    Average market Sheep price: 10 US$/pc
    Average market Goat price: 8 US$/pc

    blue line

     Tanning

    Number of Tanneries: 1 large-scale / 7 small-scale
    Installed tanning capacity: Hides: 50,000
    Tanneries in Operation: 7 small-scale: hides
    Utilized capacity: Hides: About 30% 
    Output of the industry: Wet blue: 22,600 hides p.a.
    Number of employees: 164
    Market (%): International: 0%
    Local: 100%
    Major Markets: Bolgatanga, Tamale, Kumasi and Accra in Ghana
    Estimated Annual Export Value (US$): Nil

     

    blue line

     SWOT analysis

    Strengths:
    • Ghana is strategically located within West Africa and has easy access to the ECOWAS market. The location of Ghana, coupled with the relatively stability that the country enjoys make Ghana a gateway for regional trade and investment into the West African sub-region of a market of over 260 million people. These, coupled with the proximity of Ghana to EU and USA markets as well as duty and quota free access to USA (AGOA) and EU (ACP-EU) markets makes Ghana a preferable place to do business.
    • The economy of Ghana has experienced a steady positive growth as a result of policy reforms, namely prudent fiscal policy management, effective monitory policy and a well managed debt and international trade regime. This has led to improved microeconomic performance and created an enabling business environment. These reforms have been achieved by reduction in inflation, fairy stable exchange rate, relatively low interest rates and economic growth.
    • Ghana's Trade Policy promotes the private sector as the engine of growth, with government providing a trade enabling environment to actively stimulate private sector initiatives.
    • Ghana has a dynamic private sector willing to collaborate with foreign partners. It also has abundant, adaptable and easily trainable labour force. The good and ever improving physical infrastructure of roads, telecommunication, electricity and harbour facilities as well as extensive and generous investment incentives promote business in Ghana.
     
    Weaknesses:
    • Given the vast agricultural potential of the country and the general lack of support in the past, it is estimated that the country's agriculture may be operating at about 50% of its potential, thus depriving the country of achieving its planned economic growth and poverty reduction. 
    • Despite the country's vast resources of forages and existence of the necessary internal market, its livestock base is very modest and has not offered the expected rapid growth.  Domestic livestock provides a mere 30% of the nation's requirement. The contribution of the skin and leather industries to the economy is insignificant as a result of the low livestock population. The use of the skin as part of the meat by some sectors of the population affects the volume of skin available for processing. Poor husbandry practices such as hot metal branding of cattle and tick infestation have also resulted in poor quality leather.
    • There is no large scale tannery in the country for processing of skins. This has resulted in a concomitant lack of large scale leatherwork factories. Though export of locally produced leather products is improving, the country is registering low unit price for Djemba drums (a musical drum with animal skin) which might be attributed to the varying sizes, design, quality, type of packaging and mode of transportation.
    • Ghana's reliance on single source of hydro electric generation affects productivity of manufacturers during periods of low water levels of the Volta Lake.
     
    Opportunities:
    • Agriculture sector of contributes about 35% of the country's GDP, employs about 55% of its workforce, and provides livelihood to about 70% of the population. It also accounts for some 30% of the country's export earnings and approximately 12% of tax revenue. The sector therefore is aptly described as the mainstay of the Ghanaian economy. The government has put in place strategies to transform the sector through formulation and implementation of policies and programmes to make it attractive to both local and foreign investors. Three is a considerable growth opportunities for investing in industrial, fruit and vegetable crops production, livestock production, aquaculture, agro-food processing, sea-food processing and floriculture.
    • The majority of developed countries provide Ghana with preferential market access under schemes such as the Generalised System of Preference and AGOA. There is scope for enhanced utilisation of these opportunities by the private sector.
    • Ghana has the potential for development of information and communication technology, textile/ apparel manufacturing, jewry and handicraft production, light industry/assembling plant, ceramic tiles manufacturing, property development, pharmaceuticals and ethnic beauty products manufacturing. Opportunities also exist in the metal/hand tool fabrication industry for investment. 
    • Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, and holds a lot of attraction for investors. Ghana is home to 33 historic forts, castles (including the seat of the government) and monuments which are visited daily by a large number of tourists. Numerous opportunities exist for investment in provision of hotel accommodation, beach, lake and water resort development, development of lodges and National Parks. A newly introduced LI (1817) with its mouth-watering incentive packages has rendered the sector very attractive.
    • As complement to multilateral efforts, there is a scope to develop improved access to selected markets on bilateral basis. This will lead to increased export opportunities and cheaper imports of inputs for local production.
     
    Threats:
    • Unfair competition from smuggled goods, including leather products, into the country and the taste of local consumers for foreign goods affect the demand for locally produced goods.
    • Agricultural subsidies as well as non-tariff barriers on some imported goods restrict production opportunities on some locally goods.
    • Enhanced access to foreign products will reduce government tariff revenue, raise hard currency requirements for increased imports and subject domestic industry to greater competition with imported products.
    • Restriction in the import regime can lead to investment in "protected" sections rather than sectors for which Ghana can be competitive. This may reduce export potential and can result in higher prices of both imports and local products.
     

    Government policy

    Fiscal Policies: Import Duty:
    Leather: 10%
    Shoes and bags: 20%
    Raw hide: 10%
    VAT: 25.5%
    National Insurance Levy: 2.5%
    Customs Levy: 0.5%
    Export development and Investment Fund: 0.5%
    Inspection: 1%

    Export levies:
    No levies on Non-Traditional Exports including leather and leather goods. 

    Corporate taxation:
    Internal Revenue Act 2000 puts Corporate tax at 28% and Withholding tax at 10%. Tax rebate is between 40 and 75%.
    Monetary Regulations: Exchange control regulations:

    Most of the restriction imposed by the Exchange Control Act, 1961 (Act 71) has been relaxed by various notices issued by the Bank of Ghana. Prevailing regulations allow authorized dealer banks to make the following overseas payments without prior consent of the Bank of Ghana. Banks, however, submit returns on transfers to the Bank of Ghana.

    i. Importation of goods
    ii. Foreign Investment Income, Technology Transfer Entitlements, Other Service payments (medical, tuition, course, examination etc fees, subscription, etc).
    iii. Over the counter purchase of foreign currency for personal and business travel. 

    Ghana Investment Promotion Act, 1994 provides guarantees to all enterprises, free transferability through any authorized dealer bank in free convertible currency of dividends or net profits attributable to a foreign investment; payment in respect of loan servicing where a foreign loan has been obtained; remittance of proceeds (net of all taxes and obligation) in the event of sale or liquidation of the enterprise or any interest attributable to the investment.
    Trade regulations: Export Regulations:

    Ghana's export regulations are generally liberal and contain a few restrictions. All export commodities have been categorized into two groups: Traditional and Non-Traditional. Traditional exports are cocoa beans, logs and lumber, mineral/ore, unprocessed gold, electricity, fresh fish and fresh yam. All Non-Traditional Exports are free from taxation and should be covered by Ghana Export promotion permit.

    The following items are prohibited or restricted exports: narcotics, parrots, round logs of 12 specified species, rattan canes and bamboo and obscene materials. Export of any of these items must receive prior authorization from the relevant Ghana Government ministry before an export licence is issued.

    The exporter should obtain Ghana Export Form from the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) for completion and submit it for customs inspection and certification. Commercial invoice, relevant export permits and/or certificates must be attached to the declaration to the customs. After validation or acceptance of the declaration, the goods must be presented to customs for examination. The export permits / certificates to be obtained are as follows:
    • Antiques: permit from Ghana Museum and Monuments Board. If items are made from Animal parts, permit from Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission will be required.
    • Foodstuff, plants and seeds: phyto-sanitory certificate from Plant, Protection and Regulatory service Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
    • Livestock and Livestock products: health certification from Veterinary Services Directorate of MoFA. A health certificate on Anthrax is required in case of skins.
    • Fish and fish preparations; certification from Ghana Standards Board.
    • Charcoal: permit from Energy Commission.

    The following are the Export Service Providers; Ghana Shippers Council, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders and Institute of Packaging Ghana. For further information contact: The Chief Executive, Ghana Export Promotion Council, Republic House annex, Tudu Road, P.O. Box M 146, Accra, Ghana. Tel (233 21) 228 830/ 683 153; Fax: (233 21) 677 256; Email: gepc@ighmail.com; Website: http://www.gepcghana.com

    Import Regulation:

    The policy objectives are to ensure fair prices to consumers specially the poor and vulnerable sections of the society, to encourage competitive production in Ghana, to level out the playing field in international trade and counteract unfair trade practices such as dumping of subsidies by foreign companies and governments and to ensure a predictable tariff regime which reduces risk and encourages investment in domestic production.
    There is duty exemption for plant, equipment and parts imported for investment purposes. However, with the exception of goods imported specifically for the education, health and agricultural sectors, all zero-rated goods will attract 1% processing fee.

    Investment environment

    Requirements For Foreign Investment / Joint ventures: An entrepreneur, irrespective of nationality can set up a business enterprise in Ghana in accordance with provisions of any of the following legal instruments: The companies Code, 1963 (Act 179); The Partnership Act, 1962 (Act 152); The Business Name Act, 1962 (Act 151).

    1. Foreign Investment:

    Foreigners are permitted 100% ownership of an enterprise provided the investor satisfies section 19 (2b) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) Act, 1994 (Act 479). Wholly foreign-owned enterprise must have a minimum paid up capital, the equivalent of US$50,000 in all areas of economic activity except import trading, where minimum capital requirement is US$300,000. In the case of export trading and liaison (external) offices, there is no minimum foreign equity requirement. Foreign investors are required to register with GIPC.

    2. Joint Venture:

    A foreign investor may team up with Ghanaian partner for a joint venture, usually in the form of a partnership or a limited company. However, under Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 1994 (Act 478) a minimum equity capital of US$10,000 is required in any area of economic activity, except trading which requires a minimum equity capital of US$300,000. In the cases of export trading (external) offices, there is no minimum foreign equity requirement. The foreign shareholder is required to satisfy this minimum equity capital either in cash transferred through Ghana's banking system or its equivalent in the form of goods, plant and machinery, vehicles or other tangible assets imported specially and exclusively to establish the enterprise.

    3. External Company:

    A body corporate formed outside Ghana with an established place of business in Ghana must deliver to the registrar of companies an n English translation of a certified copy of Charter, status, regulations, memorandum and articles or other instrument constituting or defining the constitution of the company. An external company may invite the Ghanaian public to subscribe to its shares, subject to its complying with requirements of the Companies Code concerning invitations and prospectus as if it were a Ghanaian company. The Registrar, however, has the discretion to waive or modify parts of these requirements.

    Expatriate Employment:

    Automatic quotas tied to Investment Capital are as follows: 1 quota - US$ 10,000 to under US$ 100,000 paid-up capital; 2 quotas - US$100,000 to under US$500,000 paid-up capital, 4 quotas - US$500,000 and above paid-up capital.

    In order to register a company the following documents and details must be submitted to the Registrar-General:
    • Name and address of company
    • Names, addressees, nationalities and occupation of its first directors and company secretary
    • The nature of the company's business
    • A statement that the company possess all the powers of a natural person of full capacity
    • A statement that the liability of the company is limited
    • The share capital and its division into shares of no par value
    • Any other lawful provisions relating to the constitution and administration of the company

    Limited Liability companies must file annual returns with the Registrar of companies showing its audited balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement after 18 months of incorporation.

    Investment opportunities exist in Ghana in the following:

    • Agriculture (Cassava, Cotton, sorghum, Soya Beans, Oil Palm, Pine apples, etc.)
    • Agro-processing (Cocoa, fruits, Vegetables, etc.)
    • Information and Communication Technology.
    • Mining (Gold, manganese, Bauxite, Salt)
    • Services (Financial, Health, Educational)
    • General Infrastructure (Agriculture and Industrial  Estates, Roads, Railways and ports)
    • Real Estate Development
    • Fisheries
    • Waste management (including recycling of Plastic and Polythene materials)
    • Privatization of State Owned Enterprises.

    Prospective investors should obtain competent professional advice on the type of company which may best meet their needs. Such an advice is obtainable from: The Registrar-General, Registrar-General's Department, P.O. Box 118, Accra, Ghana. Tel: (233-21) 662 043/ 664-691.
    Tax Incentives: Corporate Tax:

    Tax rate of 25% for all companies except:
    • Hotels - 25%
    • Income from non-traditional exports - 8%
    • Income derived by a Financial Institution from a loan granted to a farming enterprise -20%.
    • Income derived by a Financial Institution from a loan granted to a leasing company for the funding of acquisition of assets for lease - 20%.
    • Income derived by a company listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange - 30 %.
    • Relief from double taxation for foreign investors and employees

    Tax Holidays (from start of operation):
    • Real estates 5 years, Rural Banks 10 years, Tourism - 3 to10 years
    • Agriculture: Cocoa production indefinite, Cattle ranching - 10 years, Other livestock and poultry - 5 years, Others 5 to10 years
    • Agro-processing -5 years, payment of VAT on imported raw materials is zero rated.
    • Waste processing (including plastics and polythene) - 7 years
    • Free Zones Enterprise/development 10 years and maximum 8% thereafter.
    • Air and Sea transport (non-resident) - income tax exempt.

    Location Incentives (Tax rebates):

    • Location of manufacturing companies in regional capitals other than Accra and Tema - 25%, elsewhere - 50%.
    • After the initial 5-year tax holiday period, agro-processing enterprises, which use local agricultural raw materials as the main inputs, shall have corporate tax rates fixed according to their location as follows: Accra-Tema - 20%, Other regional capitals (except Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regional Capitals) - 10%, Outside Regional Capitals - 0%, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regional Capitals - 0%.

    Carry Forward Losses:
    • All companies except mining and insurance can carry forward losses for 5 years.
    • Insurance companies can carry forward losses indefinitely
    • For mining companies, losses are carried forward indefinitely but restricted to capital allowance granted for the year.

    Industrial plant machinery and parts thereof are exempted from custom import duty.

    Investment Guarantees:
    • Constitution (Act 478) guarantees protection from arbitrary deprivation of property and guarantees compensation
    • Investment laws (GIPC Act 478) guarantee 100% transfer of profits, dividends, etc in freely convertible currency and remittance of proceeds (net of all taxes and other obligations) in the event of sale or liquidation of the enterprise or any interest attributed to the investment.
    • Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) membership
    • Bilateral Investment Promotion treaties

    The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is the government agency established to encourage, promote and facilitate investment in all sectors of the economy, except mineral and mining business, petroleum business, portfolio investments, free zone activities and privatization of government enterprises. GIPC provides one-stop approval and facilitation services for investment in Ghana. For further information contact: The Chief Executive, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, P.O. Box M 193, Accra- - Ghana. Tel (233 21) 665 125-9; Fax: (233 21) 663 801; Email: info@gipc.org.gh; Website: http://www.gipc.org.gh
    Free Trade Zones: Ghana's Free Zone (GFZ) programme is designed to promote processing and manufacturing of goods through the establishment of Export Processing Zones (EPZ) and Industrial parks. Focus is also placed on development of commercial activities at sea and airports The programme is also completely private sector driven with government providing legal and policy framework and physical infrastructure. 

    There are 3 EPZ under government ownership. However, Free Zone enclaves and enterprises can be located anywhere in Ghana upon approval of the GFZB. Tema Export Processing Zone, the flagship of GFZ Programme is located close to the largest seaport in Ghana and about 24 km from Ghana's International Airport. The Tema EPZ, with a total of 1,200 acres (480 hectares), offers investors a favourable and conducive environment for manufacturing, service and commercial export activities. 

    Incentives provided to investors under the Free Zone Act (1990) include: 100% exemption from payment of direct and indirect duties and levies on all imports for production and exports; 100% exemption from payment of income tax on profits for 10 years and 8% thereafter; total exemption from payment of withholding tax from dividends; relief from double taxation for foreign investors and employees; no import licensing requirements;100% ownership by any investor; no condition or restriction on repatriation of dividends or net profit; no payment for foreign loan servicing, fees and charges for technology transfer agreements; investments guaranteed against nationalization and exploitation. For further information contact: The Chief Executive, Ghana Free Zones Board, 5th Link Road East Cantonments, P.O. Box M 626, Accra - Ghana.  Tel: (233-21) 780 535 / 785 037 / 8; Fax: (233-21) 780 536 / 780 537. Email: gfzbes@ghanatel.com.gh; info@gfzb.com Website: http://www.gfzb.com

    Institutional support

    Institute name:

    Animal Production Directorate

    Animal Health and Production School

    Animal Research Institute

    blue line

     Animal Production Directorate

    Contact Name: Justine Hernesy Kwaku Ankah
    Job Title: Acting Director
    Address : Ministry of Food and Agriculture
    P.O.Box: 5779    
    City: Accra
    Country: Ghana
    Phone1: 233-21-666 374 Phone2: 233-21-676 997
    Fax: 233-21-676 998    
    Email: apd@ghana.com
    Activity:
     Ministries  
    Presentation of the institute: The Animal Production Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is the government department responsible for the development, promoting and sustaining livestock production in Ghana for food security, employment creation and income generation through research, technical support, extension services, agri-business and industry, whilst ensuring that gender and environmental issues are adequately addressed.

    The major objectives of the Directorate are to formulate sound gender sensitive policies that will promote increased livestock productivity and to promote and provide efficient technologies and measures that will diversify livestock production for domestic and export markets in an environmentally sustainable manner.

    blue line

     Animal Health and Production School

    Contact Name: Samuel Herbert Mark Opoku
    Job Title: Acting Principal
    Address : Ministry of Food and Agriculture
    P.O.Box: 3000    
    City: Tamale
    Country: Ghana
    Phone: 233-21-71 911 62    
    Email: mashop@exite.com
    Activity:
     Ministries  
    Presentation of the institute: The college, located in a major cattle production area, was established in 1961 by the Ghana Ministry of Food and agriculture to train middle level manpower to deliver animal health care and backstop to farmers in animal production technology. The college also provides training to veterinary laboratory technicians and is mandated to conduct on-farm research. 

    The college has a teaching staff of 4 Veterinary Surgeons with master's degrees, 3 Bachelor Degree holders in General Agriculture and 2 Diploma holders in Veterinary Science. A number of part-time tutors in veterinary surgery and animal production provide support to the college.

    blue line

     Animal Research Institute

    Contact Name: Dr. Ampem Dankyi Agyei
    Job Title: Acting Director
    Address : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
    P.O.Box: 20    
    City: Accra
    Country: Ghana
    Phone1: 233-21-912 178 Phone2: 233-21-912 179
    Fax: 233-21-285 353    
    Email: animres@4u.com.gh
    Activity:
     Training  
    Presentation of the institute: Animal Research Institute began as the parasitological and entomological research unit in 1964 and was later given an expanded national mandate to undertake research and development in all aspects of poultry and livestock production in Ghana. Its vision is "to become the centre of excellence for science and technology development and utilization of domestic animals and wildlife resources".

    The mission of the institute is "to stimulate through research and development animal production and crop livestock integration for poverty reduction, wealth creation and modernization of animal agriculture.

    Core competence of the institute are pig and poultry production, quality feed formulation from feeding stuffs, feed analysis for quality control, livestock and poultry disease control, grasscutter farming, dairy production, livestock production economics, participatory improvement of small ruminants and training and consultancy services in animal production and heath.

    Trade statistics

    Products

    Imports (in USD)

    Year

    Suitcases/containers/trunks

    11,733,000

    2005

    Handbags

    2,971,000

    2005

    Clothing/belts/hand gloves

    717,000

    2005

    Saddlery/harness

    14,000

    2005

    Leather

    1,505,000

    2005

     

    Products

    Year

    Exports (quantity)

    Exports (in USD)

    Imports (in USD)

    Skin/Hide

    2004

    52 tons

    54,000

    20,000

    Animal skin (6 - 20 inch faces on Djembe Drums of light weight wood)

    2003

    981,550

    958,000

     

    Leather handicrafts

    2005

    2,426 pieces

    3,954

     

    Technical cooperation projects

    Livestock Development Project

    Duration: 2003 - 2008, 6 years
    Status: Ongoing - completion January 2008
    Description: The project is focused on reducing poverty and contributing to food security. To attain this goal, the project is intervening in livestock production and processing since they are predominantly income-generating activities carried out by the poor smallholder operators in the rural areas. Development of the livestock sub-sector will increase the contribution to GDP, given the potential for increased production coupled with the available market for the output. The project is being financed by UA 22.07 million. The project has five components: Development of Animal production, Development of Animal Health, Credit Provision, Capacity Building and Project management. The project will directly benefit more than 19,000 small-scale livestock farmers and processors of whom 45% will be women, and create additional 9,500 seasonal jobs.

    blue line

    Trade Sector Support Programme

    Duration: 2006 - 2010, 5 years
    Status: Ongoing - Completion December 2010
    Description: Trade Sector Support Programme (TSSP) is designed to systematically implement the Ghana National Trade Policy and to deliver rapid and strategic expansion of Ghana's productive base. It is informed by practical experience of rapid economic change in other countries, which has been tailored to Ghana's context. The TSSP takes a new approach to international trade capacity building in that it is centred on strengthening local capacity both in public and private sectors to deliver long-term sustained change.

    Surveys and reports

    Survey title

    blue line

     The Market for Djembe Drums in the USA

     
    Corporate Author(s): Ghana Export Promotion Council
    Year of Publication: 2005
    Number of pages: 5
    Language(s): English
    Also availabe at: http://www.gepcghana.com
    Abstract: Djembe drum is a musical drum carved from Tweneboah or Sese wood, a mahogany-type wood that is light weight and durable. With its remarkable flexible range of tones produced by its thin animal skin, shaped and light tuning, the Djembe is West Africa's most popular drum. The quality of the skin used for the drum is determined by the type of animal skin used, with Antelope skin being 1st Grade, Goat/Sheep skin being 2nd Grade and bovine skin graded 3rd.Ghana's export of percussion musical instruments (mainly traditional drums) in 2003 amounted to US$ 858,000.
    Publisher: Ghana Export Promotion Council
    Type of Document/Material: Hard and Soft copies
     blue line

     Brief Guide to Investing in Ghana

     
    Corporate Author(s): Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
    Year of Publication: 2004
    Number of pages: 24
    Language(s): English
    Also availabe at: Ghana Foreign Missions
    Abstract: Provides information on steps to starting up a business in Ghana as follows: Incorporate company at registrar generals department, Investment registration Certificate from GIPC and secondary Clearance from immigration department through GIPC. It provides quick facts on Ghana and provides justification for investing in Ghana, incentives under GPIC Act and Ghana Free Zone Scheme. The three priority areas for Ghana's development agenda are indicated as Human Resources Development, Private Sector Development and Good Governance. Sectoral Investment Opportunities with special focus to foreign participation are highlighted. Fact sheet on Ghana and key contacts are provided.
    Publisher: Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
    Type of Document/Material: Monograph, hard copy
     blue line

     Characterisation and Conservation of the Ghana Shorthorn cattle

     
    Corporate Author(s): B.K. Ahunu and K. Boa-Amponsem
    Year of Publication: 2001
    Number of pages: 66
    Language(s): English
    Also availabe at: Department For International Development, Ghana Office
    Abstract: The Ghana Shorthorn Cattle (WASH) which forms the bulk of the indigenous cattle population in Ghana possesses desirable disease resistant attributes (e.g. tolerance to both trypanosomosis and demartophilosis) and is adaptable to traditional husbandry systems. These make it crucial to the development of sustainable cattle production systems and food security particularly for the rural poor of Ghana. The WASH, however, stands threatened through neglect, lack of improvement schemes and undue genetic dilution by being crossbred with imported larger breeds perceived to be superior. The study characterised the WASH phenotipically and genetically and proposed appropriate strategy for the conservation of the Ghana WASH.
    Publisher: Ministry of Food and Agriculture
    Type of Document/Material: Monograph, hard copy
     blue line

     Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy

     
    Corporate Author(s): Ministry of Food and Agriculture
    Year of Publication: 2002
    Number of pages: 55
    Language(s): English
    Also availabe at: All Ghana Government Ministries
    Abstract: Building on the Accelerated Agricultural Development Strategy prepared in 1996, Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FSADEP) brings out the linkages among production, processing, preservation, packaging and marketing, as well as linkages among various sectors in agriculture and other non-agriculture sectors. It identifies the roles of other Ministries, Departments and Agencies in this process, and brings into sharper focus the role of the private sectors as the main driving force.

    FASDEP emphasis the optimum and sustainable utilization of all resources and commercialisation of the sector with market-driven growth in mind. The document further outlines the challenges as well as the numerous opportunities in the agricultural sector and the potential roles each stakeholder should play.
    Publisher: Ministry of Food and Agriculture
    Type of Document/Material: Monograph, hard copy

    Company profiles

    Company Name Products
    Adongo Art and Leather Workers Association Belts - Furniture - Large leather goods - Sandals
    Bolgatanga Tanning Association Wet blue
    Footwear Manufacturers Company Limited Children's shoes - Men's shoes - Military - Sandals - Women's shoes
    Katamanto Corporative Footwear Producer Society Belts - Large leather goods - Men's shoes - Sandals
    Praise the Lord Leather Workers Association Belts - Furniture - Large leather goods - Sandals
    Sethy Leather Works Belts - Large leather goods - Other - Sandals - Sandals - Small leather goods

    Environment and social responsibility

    Environment

    Legislation:

    		 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the formulation of national environmental policy.
    It co-ordinates and monitors activities that could have an impact on the environment. The EPA ensures that development plans and programmes take into account environmental concerns through Environmental Impact Assessments.
    EPA also ensures that there is regular monitoring of pre-determined environmental indicators. Where necessary, EPA enforces environmental laws.
    It disseminates public information on the state of the environment.
    Labour Laws: Labour Act,  2003 (Act 651) of the parliament of the Republic of Ghana amends and consolidates the laws relating to labour, employers, trade unions and industrial relations; to establish a national Labour Commission and to provide matters related to these. The Act applies to all workers  and to all employers except the Armed Forces, the Police Service, the Prison Service and the Security and Intelligence Agencies specified under Security and Intelligence Act 2996 (Act 526).

    The Labour Act covers the establishment of public employment  centres and registration of private employment agencies, protection of employment, general conditions of employment, employment of persons with disabilities, employment of women, employment of young persons, fair and unfair termination of employment, protection of remuneration, special provisions related to temporary and casual workers, trade unions and employers organisations, collective agreements,forced labour, occupational health, safety and environment, labour inspection, unfair labour practices, strikes and miscellaneous provisions and establishment of National Tripartite Committee and National Labour Commission.
    Other: Article 269 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana provides for the establishment of a Minerals Commission, a Forestry Commission, Fisheries Commission and such other Commissions as Parliament may determine, which shall be responsible for the regulation and management of the utilization of the natural resources concerned and the co-ordination of the policies in relation to them. Parliament may also prescribe or authorise any other agency of the government to approve the grant of rights, concessions or contracts in respect of the exploitation of any mineral, water or other natural resources of Ghana.
search
  • contentblockheader
    In focus button: Python report

  •      Focus sur le Tchad et le projet du CI

  • contentblockheader
    CBI - Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries
UNCTAD WTO