Ghana is set to overhaul its cooperative sector as the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme Secretariat begins drafting a new legal framework aimed at modernising operations and unlocking growth across key productive sectors.
The move was announced at a national stakeholder forum on cooperative development held in Accra, where policymakers, industry players and cooperative leaders converged to chart a new direction for the sector. The proposed reforms are expected to replace a legal regime that officials say has remained largely unchanged for nearly six decades.
Push to modernise outdated legal regime
As part of the reform process, the Secretariat has constituted a joint committee tasked with preparing a Cooperative Legislation Bill for submission to Parliament. Once approved, the bill will be presented to John Dramani Mahama for assent.
Officials say the new framework is intended to reflect current economic realities, strengthen governance structures and improve the operational efficiency of cooperatives across agriculture, manufacturing and small-scale enterprise development.
Opening the forum, Presidential Adviser on the programme, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, described cooperatives as critical vehicles for inclusive growth, particularly for women, youth and small businesses. He, however, noted that the sector continues to grapple with limited access to finance, weak institutional support and an outdated legal environment.
He stressed that without access to capital, cooperatives cannot expand, urging urgent reforms to unlock their full economic potential.
Strengthening value chains and farmer ownership
The proposed reforms are expected to deepen the role of cooperatives within agricultural value chains, enabling farmers to move beyond primary production into processing and marketing.
According to the Secretariat, current systems often leave farmers with limited control over inputs and pricing, reducing profitability despite increased output. The new framework aims to reverse this by empowering cooperatives to own and manage processing infrastructure, supported by improved governance and technical capacity.
Officials believe this shift will promote continuous production cycles, enhance asset utilisation and generate additional revenue through circular production models that convert by-products into marketable goods.
Financing and risk protection mechanisms
The reforms also seek to expand access to affordable financing while introducing mechanisms to shield cooperative members from market and production shocks. Among the proposals is the establishment of a solidarity fund to provide financial buffers, alongside structured market systems designed to improve price stability and market access.
The Secretariat indicated that it is working with cooperative associations to mobilise funding and technical assistance to support the transition.
Sector-wide support and job creation focus
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, highlighted the potential of cooperatives to drive growth in aquaculture, create jobs and boost export value, signalling government’s readiness to partner with organised groups in selected districts.
Similarly, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hamidu Adakruogu, reaffirmed efforts to strengthen the regulatory environment and promote decent work through cooperative-based enterprises, particularly for young people.
Toward agro-industrial transformation
National Coordinator of the programme, Kyeretwie Opoku, said the reforms are designed to reposition farmers as owners of agro-industrial businesses rather than mere producers, thereby increasing the sector’s contribution to national development.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the new framework.
The planned overhaul forms part of broader efforts under the government’s 24-hour economy agenda to stimulate production, expand exports and create sustainable employment opportunities across the country.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
