In an exclusive interview with Nii Okpoti Odamtten, Dr. John Appiah Biney, the distinguished Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the J.A. Biney Group of Companies, has passionately called for stronger and more strategic government intervention to support Ghana’s manufacturing sector. With decades of hands-on experience in industrial production, trading, and value addition, Dr. Biney stands as one of the foremost voices championing the survival and growth of local manufacturers amid growing global competition and economic constraints.
Speaking on the state of the manufacturing industry, Dr. Biney highlighted that the challenges confronting Ghanaian manufacturers are not just operational but systemic — from the high cost of raw materials and inconsistent power supply to burdensome taxation and limited access to long-term financing.
“Our manufacturing base is the heart of Ghana’s economic independence,” Dr. Biney asserted firmly. “But that heart is struggling to beat. Without urgent policy support, we risk losing the productive power that creates jobs, drives innovation, and sustains national self-reliance.”
He emphasized that many local manufacturers are being squeezed out of the market due to rising production costs, competition from cheaper imports, and limited access to foreign exchange for importing essential inputs.
“Government must not only see manufacturers as taxpayers but as partners in progress,” he explained. “When the manufacturing sector thrives, the economy becomes resilient. Every policy that supports production is a policy that supports national stability.”
Dr. Biney pointed out that while Ghana’s industrialization agenda has gained momentum over the years through initiatives such as One District, One Factory (1D1F), the sector still needs targeted incentives — including tax reliefs, improved infrastructure, and easier access to credit — to fully realize its potential.
“We are not asking for handouts,” he clarified. “We are asking for collaboration. We need enabling policies, predictable energy supply, and financial frameworks that empower us to produce locally what we import daily. That is how we can transform our economy sustainably.”
Dr. Biney further emphasized the importance of capacity building, local content development, and technology transfer to enhance competitiveness. He stressed that government partnerships with private manufacturers could create an industrial ecosystem that fosters innovation, employment, and export growth.
“Ghana’s manufacturing industry has the potential to compete globally if we invest in it,” he said. “We need to nurture local ingenuity, reward innovation, and protect our industries from unfair international practices. That is how nations rise — through vision, collaboration, and production.”
As the conversation concluded, Dr. Biney expressed optimism that with the right policy alignment, Ghana can build a manufacturing renaissance capable of transforming the economy from consumption-driven to production-led.
“The next phase of Ghana’s economic growth must be anchored on manufacturing,” he concluded. “The government, private sector, and citizens must all play their part — because industrial strength is national strength.”
Through his visionary leadership at the J.A. Biney Group of Companies, Dr. John Appiah Biney continues to set the pace in manufacturing innovation, employment creation, and industrial advocacy — reinforcing the call for government support as the foundation for a resilient and self-reliant Ghanaian economy.
Source: Nii Okpoti Odamtten
