President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Belarusian industrial city of Brest as part of his state visit to Belarus, seeking to deepen cooperation in agriculture and explore solutions to strengthen Ghana’s food production and agro-processing sectors.
According to a statement from the Presidency, President Mahama toured one of Belarus’ largest agro-processing facilities, where he examined advanced dairy production technologies and processing systems used in the manufacture of baby food, milk, cheese, and milk powder for both domestic and international markets.
The President was received by Brest Governor Piotr Alexandrovich Parkhomchik and senior officials of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.
Accompanied by his Advisor and Special Aide, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, and Ghana’s Ambassador to Moscow, Dr. Koma Steem Jehu-Appiah, President Mahama observed the company’s high-tech production processes and engaged management on opportunities for collaboration between Ghana and Belarus.
Speaking after the tour, President Mahama said Ghana was looking to leverage Belarus’ expertise as part of efforts to modernise its agricultural sector and achieve greater food self-sufficiency.
“We are here to tap into Belarus’ vast experience as we work to make Ghana self-sufficient in food production,” he said.
The President noted that reducing post-harvest losses remains a major priority for his administration, adding that the visit aimed to identify practical technological solutions that could help Ghanaian farmers preserve and add value to their produce.
According to the Presidency, the government is seeking to accelerate the transition from smallholder farming to large-scale commercial agriculture through the adoption of modern processing technologies and improved agricultural infrastructure.
The Managing Director of the agro-processing company, Aleksandr Savchits, said the firm generated more than $1.4 billion in revenue last year and has recently begun exporting dairy products to Ghana.
He expressed optimism about expanding exports to the Ghanaian market as economic and trade relations between the two countries continue to grow.
Savchits added that the company was interested in strengthening commercial ties with Ghana and exploring new opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural and food-processing sectors.
President Mahama used the occasion to invite Belarusian investors to partner with Ghanaian businesses and industry associations, stressing that such collaborations could create jobs, boost industrial growth, and enhance food security in Ghana.
The visit forms part of broader efforts by Ghana and Belarus to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, industry, and trade.
Belarus is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading exporters of dairy products, including milk powder, butter, and cheese, with its dairy industry serving markets across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Source: GNA
