The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has committed $440,480 (over GH¢7 million) to expand dried fruit production in Ghana.
The funding will help Pure and Just Limited, a local agro-processing company, scale up its operations, increasing its ability to process fresh fruits such as mangoes, papayas, pineapples, and bananas into natural dried products. This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade and creating jobs in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
During the launch of the expanded Pure and Just factory in Nsawam, USAID/Ghana Acting Mission Director Grace Lang emphasized the significance of the investment. “U.S. government efforts are boosting agricultural productivity, increasing local ownership, and strengthening businesses right here in the Eastern Region and across Ghana.
Pure and Just is a shining example of how such investments can unlock Ghana’s economic and agricultural potential,” she stated.
The upgraded factory, funded through USAID’s Feed the Future Africa Trade and Investment Activity, is now equipped with advanced fruit-drying machines that can process six tons of fresh fruit daily ;an improvement from its previous capacity of one ton per day. With this expansion, the facility is expected to generate up to GH¢28 million in annual revenue, create jobs, and provide economic opportunities for up to 1,500 farmers.
Pure and Just Limited’s CEO, Yvette Tetteh, expressed excitement about the progress, noting that the company had recently made its first export of seven metric tons of dried fruits to Germany. She added that the next step would be entering the U.S. market, with USAID’s support, in the coming year.
The U.S. government remains Ghana’s largest development partner, providing over $140 million in bilateral aid through USAID in 2023, with a focus on sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and economic growth. USAID’s initiatives are designed to foster sustainable
