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Sep 3, 2026

Feature: Mahama’s Feed the Industries policy to rejuvenate industry, drive real-sector growth and 24-hour economy

Sep 3, 2026

President John Dramani Mahama’s proposed feed the Industries policy seeks to connect large-scale agricultural production directly to domestic processing, providing the raw materials needed to raise factory output, create sustainable employment and support Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy.

The programme is expected to begin with a Central Region pilot targeting more than 18,000 youth employment and enterprise opportunities across farming, aggregation, transportation, processing, packaging, logistics and distribution.

A nationwide rollout could create more than 250,000 opportunities while increasing raw-material supplies to agro-processors and raising factory capacity utilization for domestic and export production.

More than 15,000 acres have reportedly been secured in the Central Region for high-value and industrial crops. The pilot is expected to include the Central Citrus Processing Factory at Asebu and the Youth in High-Value Crop Value Chain Programme covering Ekumfi and other parts of the region.

Feed the Factory before running it 24 hours

Feed the Industries seeks to address a major constraint facing Ghana’s agro-processing industry: reliable year-round supplies of raw materials.

Longer factory operating hours under the 24-Hour Economy will require more than additional shifts. Processing plants need adequate inputs, power, transport, storage, financing and markets to sustain increased production.

The more than 15,000 acres identified in the Central Region could provide an initial production base for crops required by processors.

The approach also fits into the wider Feed Ghana Programme, which has selected 22 priority commodity value chains and lists increasing raw-material supplies to agro-industry, value addition and agricultural exports among its objectives.

Under the proposed Value Chain Contracting for Youth model, young people would operate in commercial production clusters linked to established buyers. This would give farmers greater certainty over what to produce and where to sell, while factories gain greater visibility over the quantity and timing of supplies.

Ekumfi: From under 20% to Over 80% Production

Ekumfi Fruits and Juices provide one of the clearest opportunities to demonstrate the industrial impact of the programme.

The factory has capacity to process about 10 tonnes of pineapple, or roughly 10,000 fruits, every hour. At that rate, one hour of processing requires the equivalent of about four acres of harvested pineapple.

The scale of the raw-material requirement becomes clearer when operating hours are extended. Eight hours at the stated capacity would require about 80 tonnes of fruit, while longer shifts would sharply increase demand from surrounding farms.

Feed the Industries could therefore help move Ekumfi from below 20 percent production capacity to more than 80 percent utilization by expanding commercial pineapple cultivation and organizing growers capable of supplying the required volumes.

Higher utilization would also increase demand for farmers, aggregators, transporters, packaging companies, distributors and other businesses linked to the factory.

The connection with the 24-Hour Economy is direct: Ekumfi cannot move towards round-the-clock production unless pineapple cultivation expands sufficiently to keep its processing lines supplied.

Removing the 20% Excise Duty Barrier

The raw-material intervention is being complemented by the removal of the 20 percent excise-duty burden on locally manufactured natural fruit juices.

The measure could improve the competitive position of domestic processors by reducing the tax burden on finished products while Feed the Industries tackles constraints on the supply side.

For Ekumfi, the combination could be major. More pineapple production would support higher factory utilization, while the tax measure creates additional room to compete with imported beverages and expand distribution.

The policy intervention therefore targets both sides of the production equation: increasing the raw materials entering factories and improving the competitiveness of the products leaving them.

Making Ekumfi Juice Available to Ghana — and the World

Moving Ekumfi above 80 percent capacity would create economic activity well beyond the factory floor.

Previous company figures showed more than 1,000 workers, mostly on its farms, and more than 75 professionals at the factory. The company was operating two shifts at the time and planned to increase this to three as production expanded.

At full capacity, earlier projections indicated the plant could produce about 300 million packs of juice annually for domestic and export markets.

The company has also previously identified export markets in the United States, United Kingdom and Dubai, providing an existing international dimension to its expansion plans.

Higher utilization could therefore increase demand for pineapple cultivation, mechanisation, harvesting, aggregation, transportation, packaging, warehousing and distribution while generating additional export earnings.

The production chain is straightforward:

FARM → FACTORY → PROCESSING → PACKAGING → DISTRIBUTION → GHANAIAN CONSUMER → EXPORT MARKET

The opportunity is to convert more Ghanaian agricultural produce into finished goods before they reach domestic and overseas consumers.

CENTRAL CITRUS: ANOTHER INDUSTRIAL TEST

The Central Citrus Processing Factory at Asebu provides another test of the model.

The factory has been reported to have capacity to process more than 15 tonnes of oranges per hour. Together with Ekumfi’s 10-tonne-per-hour pineapple capacity, the two plants represent more than 25 tonnes of headline fruit-processing capacity every hour when operating at their stated rates.

Sustaining those volumes requires more than factory machinery. It requires organized production involving growers, aggregators, transporters and other suppliers capable of delivering fruit consistently.

The Ekumfi and Asebu clusters could therefore demonstrate whether agricultural contracting can translate directly into higher industrial capacity utilization and longer operating hours.

18,000 Youth opportunities from the Central Region

The Central Region pilot is projected to facilitate more than 18,000 direct and indirect youth employment and enterprise opportunities.

The opportunities extend beyond direct farming and factory employment.

Increasing agricultural output would require nursery operators, irrigation technicians, tractor operators, agronomists, extension officers, harvesting teams, aggregators and transporters.

Higher processing volumes would create further activity in packaging, warehousing, distribution, marketing and exports.

Ekumfi’s earlier employment numbers already illustrate how processing can extend jobs beyond the factory itself, with more than 1,000 workers reported across its operations, most of them on farms.

The employment potential of Feed the Industries will therefore depend heavily on how much additional production can be generated around the factories.

From 18,000 to over 250,000 Nationwide

The larger opportunity lies in extending the Central Region model to other agricultural and industrial areas.

A nationwide rollout of Feed the Industries and the Youth in High-Value Crop Value Chain Programme is projected to facilitate more than 250,000 employment and enterprise opportunities.

The wider Feed Ghana Programme already covers 22 priority commodity value chains, providing a broader agricultural base for linking production to domestic processing.

Pineapple, citrus, avocado, coconut, mango, papaya, banana, passion fruit, ginger and oil palm are among crops with potential to support larger processing industries serving Ghanaian and export markets.

The national opportunity therefore goes beyond producing more crops. It lies in processing a greater share of Ghana’s agricultural output locally before it leaves the farm gate.

Building a National Value-Addition Chain

The scale of Ekumfi illustrates the difference between primary agricultural production and value addition.

At full capacity, the factory was projected to produce about 300 million packs of juice annually. That means pineapple leaving farms can pass through processing, packaging, branding, transportation and retail before reaching consumers.

Each stage creates additional economic activity that would otherwise be lost if agricultural commodities were sold mainly in their primary form.

The same principle applies to citrus, coconut, mango, oil palm and other crops targeted for commercial expansion.

Feed the Industries could therefore develop beyond an agricultural programme into an industrial supply strategy linking farms directly to manufacturing.

Import Substitution and Exports

Greater agro-processing could also strengthen Ghana’s external sector through import substitution and exports.

Increasing domestic production of fruit juices, processed foods, oils and other products could replace part of the country’s imports where Ghanaian manufacturers can compete on price and quality.

Exports provide the second opportunity. Ekumfi has already identified overseas markets, including the US, UK and Dubai, while its production facilities were designed to serve both local and export demand.

The foreign-exchange effect works in both directions: producing competitive substitutes locally reduces demand for foreign currency to finance imports, while additional exports generate new inflows.

Higher agricultural production alone will therefore not capture the full opportunity. More of the output must reach Ghanaian factories and leave them as higher-value products.

The Real Sector Multiplier

The Central Region model brings together more than 15,000 acres earmarked for production, an 18,000-plus youth opportunity target and two major fruit-processing facilities with combined headline capacity exceeding 25 tonnes per hour.

This creates links across agriculture, manufacturing, transport, finance, packaging, distribution and exports.

Farmers supply processors, factories add value, logistics companies move inputs and finished goods, while financial institutions provide working capital and investment financing across the chain.

The national potential of more than 250,000 opportunities will ultimately be tied to the number of commercially viable production chains that can be established around factories and markets.

Feed the Industries could turn Ghana’s agricultural potential into industrial growth by getting more farms to supply factories, raising production and taking more Ghanaian products to domestic and global markets. That is where the 24-Hour Economy can begin to deliver real-sector transformation.

Farm machinery training held for rice seed producers

Sep 3, 2026

A three-day farm machinery training programme has been organised for certified rice seed producers to improve their technical skills and promote agricultural mechanisation in Ghana’s rice sector.

The training, held at the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme in the Greater Accra Region, was organised by the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA) Ghana Centre in collaboration with the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA).

It brought together farmers from the Kpong, Weta and Dawhenya irrigation schemes, where certified rice seed is produced for distribution to farmers across the country.

Farmers trained in modern equipment use

Participants were taken through classroom and practical sessions on the safe operation, inspection and maintenance of agricultural machinery, including power tillers, tractors and combine harvesters.

The training also covered the use of farm implements such as rotary tillers, with participants gaining hands-on experience in operating and maintaining the equipment.

The sessions were facilitated by Mr Lee Woong-jae, an agricultural machinery specialist from Korea’s National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NongHyup), who has more than 30 years of experience in farm machinery training.

The training forms part of the K-Rice Belt Project, a five-year Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiative funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea to support sustainable rice production in Ghana.

Since 2023, the project has produced and distributed about 1,580 metric tonnes of certified rice seed, including improved varieties such as KoreaMo and Agyapa.

The project aims to produce 5,000 metric tonnes of certified rice seed by 2027 to support the cultivation of about 100,000 hectares of rice fields across the country.

Mechanisation key to farming growth

Delivering the opening address, the Chief Executive Officer of GIDA, Eric Dankwa, said agricultural mechanisation was essential to transforming Ghana’s farming sector.

He said mechanisation would reduce the burden of manual labour, enable farmers to cultivate larger areas, improve productivity and increase farm incomes.

“Mechanisation is no longer an option; it is a necessity for the future of agriculture,” he said.

The Director of the KOPIA Ghana Centre, Dr Kim Young-jin, urged participants to apply the skills acquired to improve certified rice seed production and contribute to strengthening Ghana’s food security.

He said the initiative also represented an important step in deepening agricultural cooperation between Ghana and the Republic of Korea.

Explore opportunities across agrifood value chain – AGRA to youth

Sep 3, 2026

Ghana Country Director of AGRA, Dr Betty Annan, has urged young people to explore opportunities across the entire agricultural value chain rather than limiting their focus to farming.Management

She said agriculture and agribusiness extended beyond primary production, with significant opportunities in areas such as technology, logistics, marketing and value addition.

Speaking at the Ghana Agrifood Youth Dialogue on Friday, August 28, Dr Annan encouraged young people to explore the full value chain, from production on the farm to the final product reaching consumers.

“I would want to encourage all the youth to look at the entire value chain from farm to fork and identify areas where they can find opportunities to work in,” she said.

She noted that the various stages of the value chain offered opportunities for young people with different skills and interests to build careers and businesses within the agrifood sector.

Dr Annan assured young people that AGRA was available to provide technical guidance and other support to help them pursue opportunities in the sector.

“So take advantage of these opportunities and then join the space and you will get the needed support to try,” she added.

YEFFA is a US$350 million programme running from 2023 to 2028 and implemented by AGRA in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The programme seeks to create dignified work opportunities for young people, with a focus on young women, across agri-food systems in several African countries.Africans & Diaspora

It targets unemployed and underemployed young people and aims to reach 10 million youth through its activities.

Source: https://www.citinewsroom.com

Meko Bono 2026: Vice President pledges agricultural revival as Atebubu hosts grand homecoming

Aug 26, 2026

Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang has delivered a strong assurance to the farming communities of the Bono East Region, pledging government commitment to minimising post-harvest losses and boosting agricultural productivity under the flagship Feed Ghana programme.

She made the pledge on Saturday when she graced the grand climax of the Meko Bono Homecoming and Festival 2026 in Atebubu, where she was received with traditional pomp and pageantry.

The Vice President, who was the special guest of honour, used the platform to connect directly with the predominantly agrarian population, acknowledging their struggles and outlining tangible interventions to improve their livelihoods.

“We hear your concerns, and we are acting,” Prof. Opoku Agyemang told the cheering crowd. “Through the Feed Ghana initiative, we are not only minimising post-harvest losses but also improving general agricultural productivity to create more jobs and generate substantial wealth for our people.”

Her address struck a chord with the thousands of farmers gathered, who have long grappled with the challenge of losing significant portions of their harvest to poor storage and logistical constraints. The Vice President’s assurance signals a renewed push by the government to make agriculture a more sustainable and profitable venture for the region’s backbone workforce.

A celebration of heritage and unity

Beyond the political messaging, the Vice President took time to underscore the cultural significance of the Meko Bono festival, which has grown into a vital platform for celebrating the rich Bono heritage, reconnecting the diaspora with their roots, and fostering partnerships for tourism, investment, and community development.

She admonished the people to let the festival serve as a vessel for preserving history and tradition through togetherness.

“Let this festival preserve the history and tradition of the Bono people through togetherness, thereby creating partnerships for development,” she added, drawing thunderous applause from the assembled chiefs, elders, and youth.

Chiefs welcome Veep, rally for development

Hosting the Vice President was HRM Ohempon Dr Yeboah Asiamah, the Atebubumanhene and Chairman of the Meko Bono Advisory Board, who welcomed her and the thousands of visitors with open arms.

In his address, the Paramount Chief emphasised the festival’s growing relevance as more than a cultural showcase, but a strategic vehicle for sustainable community development.

“The Meko Bono spirit is the thread that binds us across generations,” the Chief stated.

“We must leverage this unity to attract investment and build a prosperous future for our children.”

Adding his voice, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr Nana Agyemang Badu II, President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, lauded the remarkable cohesion displayed by the Bono people, describing their togetherness as a shining example worthy of emulation across the nation.

“The togetherness we see here today is not by chance; it is the result of shared values and mutual respect,” he remarked. “This is the kind of unity that builds nations, and I call on all Ghanaians to learn from the Bono example.”

A spectacle of culture and colour

The festival grounds in Atebubu came alive with breathtaking cultural displays that captivated the Vice President and all in attendance. The thunderous rhythms of Fontomfrom drums filled the air, while gracefully choreographed Adowa dancers mesmerised onlookers with their intricate footwork and vibrant regalia.

From elders adorned in rich, hand-woven smocks to the energetic youth participating in traditional war dances, the event was a stunning reminder that Ghana’s cultural heritage remains a living, breathing force that unites generations.

Looking ahead

As the sun dipped below the horizon over Atebubu, it was clear that the Meko Bono Homecoming 2026 had achieved far more than a cultural reunion. With the Vice President’s agricultural assurances and the chiefs’ rallying calls for unity, the people of Atebubu left the festival grounds not just with memories of a spectacular celebration, but with renewed hope for a future built on the solid foundation of their illustrious heritage.

The festival has once again proven that the Bono people are not merely preserving their past; they are actively shaping their future through participation, partnership, and unwavering togetherness.

https://www.myjoyonline.com

Upper East receives 28 motorbikes under FSRP to boost agricultural extension

Aug 25, 2026

The Upper East Regional Directorate of the Department of Agriculture has taken delivery of 28 motorbikes under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) to strengthen agricultural extension services and improve field monitoring across beneficiary districts.Geographic Reference

The motorbikes have been handed over to nine beneficiary districts and are expected to enhance the mobility of agricultural extension officers to enable them to reach farmers and support food production activities under the programme.

The beneficiary districts are Binduri, Bawku West, Nabdam, Talensi, Bongo, Kassena-Nankana Municipal, Builsa South, Builsa North and the Irrigation Company of the Upper Regions.

Mr Yakubu Mohammed Awal Meigoro, Upper East Regional Crops Officer of the Department of Agriculture, said the FSRP had been implemented in the region for some time and had expanded from an initial five districts to nine.

He said each of the nine beneficiary districts received three motorbikes, while the remaining units would support other programme activities.

Mr Meigoro said the FSRP was focused on strengthening food system resilience, with key commodities in the northern zone including tomatoes, soybeans, maize and rice.

He said the motorbikes were primarily intended to support field officers, including Agricultural Extension Agents and other technical officers, in their work with farmers.Motorcycles

Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, urged beneficiary district directors and officers to properly manage and maintain the motorbikes to prolong their lifespan.

He cautioned beneficiaries against using the motorbikes for purposes unrelated to the programme.

“We want to plead with you. Let’s use it for the purpose for which they have brought them. We don’t want to hear that so-and-so motorbikes are found somewhere for a different business,” he said.

Alhaji Fuseini said ownership and maintenance arrangements would be addressed in accordance with the terms of the project, adding that beneficiaries who took good care of the motorbikes could benefit from future ownership arrangements.

Speaking on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Akamugri Donatus Atanga, the Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Mohammed Issahaku, said beneficiaries had a responsibility to ensure the proper use of the motorbikes, whether they were managed as a pool or assigned to specific officers.Multilateral Organizations

He said proper management of the assets would help build confidence among development partners and encourage further investment in agriculture.

“We have been crying that funding to agriculture is a challenge. So if we don’t put up any conduct that will invite others or motivate others to come and support us, I think we will be shooting ourselves in the foot,” he said.

Alhaji Issahaku said the motorbikes were intended to support food security activities and should therefore be made available to agricultural officers whenever they were required for field operations.

He urged beneficiaries to regard the motorbikes as important assets for improving agricultural extension delivery and strengthening food production in the region.

The FSRP is being implemented to strengthen food systems and resilience and support increased production of selected agricultural commodities in participating districts.

Source:https://www.citinewsroom.com