John Mahama to meet stakeholders over Customs Act incentive concerns

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and the Ghana Free Zones Authority to address growing concerns regarding the Customs Act of 2026. The engagement, scheduled to take place next week, follows formal complaints from business leaders that the new legislation has significantly eroded tax and operational incentives previously enjoyed by companies under the Free Zones scheme. The meeting is intended to resolve these issues and ensure the legal framework remains conducive to industrial growth.

The discussions are strategically timed to coincide with the return of the Finance Minister from international World Bank and IMF engagements in Bangkok. During a visit to DTRT, a prominent textile manufacturer, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration's dedication to supporting both domestic and foreign investors. He emphasized that the government is committed to providing the necessary incentives for expansion and job creation, ensuring that local industries receive the same level of support as international firms.

While assessing the operations at DTRT, which has expanded its workforce from 500 to over 6,000 employees, the President highlighted the importance of domestic investment. He revealed plans for the government to invest approximately $2 billion annually in critical sectors, including textiles and garments. This initiative includes a partnership with the private sector to construct additional textile factories, with a specific focus on creating employment opportunities for women.

The upcoming dialogue signals the government's intention to align its revenue-mobilization goals under the 2026 Act with the need to protect the competitiveness of the industrial sector. By engaging directly with the Free Zones Authority and trade representatives, the administration seeks to restore confidence among investors who have expressed fears that the loss of established benefits could undermine their long-term viability in the Ghanaian market.