Eric Opoku calls for greater investment in Agro-Processing to drive jobs and reduce post-harvest losses

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has called for increased investment in agro-processing as part of efforts to address post-harvest losses, create jobs for young people, and unlock the full economic potential of Ghana’s agricultural sector.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to P&A African Food International Ltd, a Ghanaian-owned agro-processing company located at Medie on the Accra–Nsawam Road, the minister stressed the need for Ghana to move beyond primary agricultural production and focus on developing the entire agricultural value chain.

According to Mr Opoku, agriculture can only achieve its full potential when production is linked to processing, storage, transportation, packaging, and distribution.

“Investing in primary agriculture alone cannot give us the jobs we expect from agriculture, so we are looking at the entire value chain. We are shifting from agriculture as a survival activity to agribusiness to unearth the full potential of the sector,” he said.

The minister noted that while agricultural production has increased significantly across the country, limited processing capacity continues to create marketing challenges for farmers.

“Our farmers have produced so much across the country. They are crying for market,” he stated.

Mr Opoku commended P&A African Food International Ltd for its contribution to value addition through the processing of local agricultural produce for domestic and international markets.

The company produces and exports a range of value-added products under its Precious brand, including Plantain Fufu Flour, Palm Cream Concentrate, dehydrated kontomire, as well as maize- and cassava-based products.

The minister further advocated stronger partnerships between farmers and agro-processors through structured buy-back arrangements that would guarantee markets for agricultural produce.

“We want processors to have buy-back agreements with farmers so that farmers know who they are producing for. Give them the seeds, the skills and the assurance that once they produce, you are ready to take them,” he said.

He highlighted ongoing government initiatives under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda and the Feed Ghana Programme, which seek to strengthen food security and transform agriculture into a commercially driven sector. He added that value addition remains a key component of the government’s 24-hour economy strategy.

Mr Opoku also disclosed that government is collaborating with development partners, including German-supported programmes, to provide agro-processors with access to financing and technical support. Under these arrangements, qualifying processors can obtain concessionary funding backed by bank guarantees.

In addition, he said government is mobilising further resources through donor support and financing partnerships to expand agro-processing capacity across the country and replicate successful support models for small and medium-scale processors.

The minister stressed that Ghana’s annual food import bill of approximately US$3 billion represents a significant loss of local employment opportunities and urged consumers to prioritise locally produced goods.

“If you buy imported food, you are exporting jobs. But when you buy local, you are creating jobs here at home,” he stated.

He also encouraged young people to view agriculture and agro-processing as profitable business ventures capable of generating wealth and employment.

P&A African Foods Seeks Government Support

Management of P&A African Food International Ltd, led by Richard Mainoo, welcomed the minister’s visit and appealed for government support to help expand the company’s operations.

The company requested assistance in accessing equipment financing, working capital, storage facilities, transport logistics, and donor-supported technology upgrade programmes.

Mr Mainoo said P&A African Foods currently exports products to the United States, Canada, and Europe but requires additional capacity to meet growing demand and strengthen its contribution to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda.

Prince Antwi

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