Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s agribusiness sector through targeted investments in tomato production and value addition.
She made the remarks during a meeting with executives of GB Foods in Barcelona, as part of efforts to reduce the country’s reliance on imported tomato products while expanding exports of processed goods.
“We look forward to mutually beneficial relationships… and encourage local farmers,” she said, emphasising the need for inclusive growth that integrates smallholder farmers into the value chain.
The Vice President highlighted that investments across the agricultural value chain would boost domestic production capacity and support agro-processing industries.
She noted that such partnerships are essential for job creation, improved rural livelihoods, and long-term economic development. “The goal of our agro-industrial drive is to improve lives and ensure our citizens benefit fully from our resources,” she added.
Large-Scale Farming Initiative
Director of Corporate Affairs for Africa at GB Foods, Teddy Ngu, revealed that the company has secured approximately 6,000 hectares of land in the Afram Plains for tomato cultivation.
The project is expected to stabilise supply, particularly following recent export restrictions from Burkina Faso, which have impacted availability in Ghana.
Mr Ngu stressed that improving tomato production will depend heavily on adopting modern farming techniques. He pointed out that yields in Ghana average about five tonnes per hectare, significantly lower than figures recorded in countries like Spain and China.
“There is huge potential here, but it requires the right technology—precision irrigation and specialised farming techniques,” he explained, adding that GB Foods has successfully increased yields in Nigeria from five to 60 tonnes per hectare.
The collaboration is expected to enhance food security, reduce import dependence, and position Ghana as a competitive player in processed tomato exports.
With a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and large-scale investment, the initiative reflects a broader strategy to transform agriculture into a key driver of sustainable economic growth.
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