The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has announced government plans to fully operationalise seven agro-processing plants across the Northern, Central, Ahafo, Bono, North East, Bono East and Western North Regions as part of efforts to strengthen agro-industrialisation and value addition.
The facilities will focus on strategic agricultural value chains, including yam, fish, poultry, cashew nut, rice, shea butter and palm kernel oil, with the aim of reducing post-harvest losses, boosting local processing capacity and creating sustainable jobs.
According to the Minister, the initiative forms part of government’s broader industrial transformation agenda to move Ghana away from the export of raw agricultural commodities toward higher-value processed products for both domestic consumption and export markets.
She explained that operationalising the plants would help stabilise incomes for farmers, improve market access and enhance food security, particularly in regions where agriculture remains the main source of livelihoods.
“The focus is to ensure that these agro-processing facilities are fully functional and integrated into local production systems, so farmers can benefit directly from value addition and improved pricing,” Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare said.
The Minister noted that each plant has been aligned with crops and products that are dominant in their respective regions.
For instance, yam and rice processing facilities are expected to support farmers in the northern belt, while cashew nut, shea butter and palm kernel oil plants will leverage the comparative advantages of Bono, Ahafo and Western North Regions.
In the Central Region, fish processing is expected to support coastal communities and improve the handling, preservation and marketing of fish products, while poultry processing is expected to enhance domestic poultry production and reduce reliance on imports.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare emphasised that beyond processing, the initiative would stimulate ancillary businesses along the value chain, including logistics, packaging, storage and distribution, thereby deepening the impact on local economies.
She added that government is working with relevant agencies and private sector partners to address operational challenges, including raw material supply, management capacity and access to markets, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the plants.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to using agro-processing as a tool for inclusive growth, industrial development and rural transformation, noting that the success of the programme would contribute to increased exports, improved trade balances and stronger regional economies.
She urged stakeholders, including farmer groups, traditional authorities and local assemblies, to support the initiative to maximise its benefits for communities across the country.
