Ghana's Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has called for increased national investment in agro-processing. This move aims to address agricultural overproduction, minimize post-harvest losses, and create new employment opportunities.
The Minister stressed the necessity of transitioning Ghana's agriculture from basic production to a complete value-chain system. He observed that relying solely on primary farming cannot generate enough jobs for the expanding workforce or unlock the sector's full economic potential. This strategic change focuses on integrating production with processing, storage, transportation, packaging, and distribution methods.
This push aligns with Ghana's broader economic goals of industrialization and job creation, particularly within the '24-hour economy' agenda. The government aims to reduce a substantial annual food import bill, which currently stands at about US$3 billion. Redirecting these funds to local processing is expected to keep jobs and wealth within Ghana. It also seeks to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a business-driven sector, enhancing food self-sufficiency under initiatives like the 'Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda' and 'Feed Ghana Programme'.
Minister Opoku made these remarks during a visit to P&A African Food International Ltd., an agro-processing company located near Accra. He commended the company, which processes and exports products under its Precious brand, for adding value to farm produce. Addressing concerns about market access, he noted, "Our farmers have produced so much across the country. They are crying for market."
Future steps will involve deeper collaboration between the government and private sector processors. This includes developing structured buy-back agreements to provide guaranteed markets for farmers. Processors would offer seeds, training, and assurance to farmers, committing to purchase their produce. The government is also mobilizing resources from development partners and donors. This funding aims to provide concessionary financing and technical assistance to eligible agro-processors, expanding national processing capacity. These efforts are critical for boosting local demand and creating a more robust agricultural economy.
P&A African Food International Ltd., through its manager Richard Mainoo, welcomed the Minister's visit. The company appealed for government assistance to expand its operations. Their requests included support for equipment financing, working capital, improved storage facilities, and transport logistics. They also sought access to donor-supported technology upgrade programs. Mr. Mainoo highlighted the company’s current exports to the United States, Canada, and Europe. He stated that increased capacity would help meet rising demand and support Ghana’s industrial growth. He emphasized that proper support for agro-processing firms like theirs could significantly increase demand for local produce and generate foreign exchange earnings and jobs.