I Delivered to My Best as Trade Minister – Alan Kyerematen
Story by: James Kumi-Korsah
Former Trade and Industry Minister and presidential candidate of the Afrafranto Movement, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, has highlighted his key achievements during his tenure, underlining his substantial contributions to Ghana’s economic growth and industrial transformation. He asserts that his leadership at the Ministry of Trade and Industry produced tangible results that positively impacted the nation’s economy and created numerous opportunities for Ghanaians, all despite working with a limited budget.
Under Mr. Kyerematen’s leadership, Ghana attracted several global automobile giants, including Volkswagen (VW), Toyota, KIA, Nissan, Peugeot, and Sinotruck, to establish operations in the country. This has positioned Ghana as a hub for automobile manufacturing in West Africa, generating jobs and boosting the local economy. According to him, he crafted an effective Automotive Development policy that attracted these top-tier companies to invest in the country.
A major highpoint of Alan Kyerematen’s tenure was the successful implementation of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, which led to the establishment of over 250 companies nationwide, some of which are still under completion. These companies have created more than 170,000 direct and indirect jobs, providing employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth and contributing significantly to the country’s industrial growth.
Another notable achievement was securing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat for Ghana. Mr. Kyerematen played a pivotal role in developing the AfCFTA for the continent of Africa and successfully positioned Ghana as the host of the Secretariat, beating strong competition from Egypt, Kenya, and Eswatini. The AfCFTA Secretariat places Ghana at the heart of Africa’s trade and economic integration efforts. “Ghana, our beloved country, is now the commercial capital of Africa,” he noted.
Mr. Kyerematen also oversaw the transformation of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) into the now well-resourced Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA). This transformation has significantly enhanced the agency’s capacity to provide comprehensive business development services to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide, fostering entrepreneurship and economic empowerment across the country.
In addition, he established 67 Business Resource Centres and 25 fully furnished Technology Solutions Centres across various regions. These centres provide essential technology and technical support services to MSMEs, further bolstering the growth and sustainability of small businesses in Ghana. Moreover, through negotiating new trade agreements, he expanded trade and investment opportunities between Ghana and its international partners.
Furthermore, Mr. Kyerematen played a key role in establishing EXIM Bank, which has provided critical financing and risk mitigation support to Ghanaian exporters, promoting the country’s exports and boosting its foreign exchange earnings.
Alan Kyerematen’s tenure as Trade and Industry Minister is marked by these significant achievements, reflecting his commitment to fulfilling his mandate and advancing Ghana’s industrial and economic development.