Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Presidential Special Envoy on Reparations, has expressed support for a unified 'Made in Africa' brand. This initiative aims to give products manufactured across the continent a stronger global identity. The proposal, by Ing. Prof. Douglas Boateng, was discussed at the Boardroom Governance Summit 2026 in Accra. Prof. Boateng argued that a common continental identity would benefit African manufacturers. He cited the US, where products from different states are marketed under the 'Made in USA' label.
Dr Spio-Garbrah, who chaired the summit, welcomed the proposal. He encouraged governments, businesses, and stakeholders to support its implementation. Drawing from his experience as Trade and Industry Minister under the Mahama administration, he recalled efforts to strengthen national branding and promote local goods. The Brand Ghana Council and the Made-in-Ghana Committee, which he chaired between 2014 and 2017, were examples of such initiatives. These institutions aimed to promote locally manufactured goods and strengthen the country's national image.
The Made-in-Ghana Committee, inaugurated in December 2014, promoted local industries and encouraged domestic consumption. It contributed to the development of a Made-in-Ghana policy, approved by Cabinet in March 2016. The policy encouraged public institutions to prioritize locally manufactured goods and services. Although the institutions became inactive after the change of government in 2017, the Akufo-Addo administration's 2017 Budget Statement indicated its intention to intensify promotion of Made-in-Ghana products.
The National Democratic Congress, in its 2024 election manifesto, pledged to reinstate the Brand Ghana Council and the Made-in-Ghana Committee. The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry's 2026 Budget Estimates listed the operationalization of these institutions among its targets for 2025. However, the ministry's performance report did not indicate whether either body had been formally reconstituted. The report highlighted engagement with government institutions and the private sector to promote local production and procurement.
Questions surrounding Ghana's national branding structures have persisted. In 2018, the Ghana Tourism Authority disclosed that the former Brand Ghana Office had ceased operating. In July 2025, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana, proposed establishing a permanent Brand Ghana Council. These developments reinforce the importance of strong institutional structures to support long-term trade and industrial policies.
The proposed continental brand could complement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to expand intra-African trade and strengthen regional manufacturing. The African Union has developed Made in Africa standards and guidelines, providing a framework for harmonizing product quality, certification, and origin requirements. Dr Spio-Garbrah's endorsement draws on his decades of experience in trade, diplomacy, and corporate governance.
A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of Prof. Boateng's book, Practical Perspectives on the Committees of the Board. Dr Spio-Garbrah stressed the importance of constructive disagreement in leadership, recalling an experience in Cabinet where discussion opened up after he challenged a proposal. The summit brought together business leaders, board chairpersons, policymakers, and governance professionals to discuss effective leadership and institutional accountability.
Key points
- Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah supports a unified 'Made in Africa' brand to boost continental products.
