Patronise locally processed foods …Agric Minister urges

Ghanaian Minister of Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku is urging citizens to prioritize locally processed food products, emphasizing that this support is crucial for bolstering the capacity of domestic companies and generating employment opportunities for the nation's youth.

During a visit to P&A Africa Foods Limited in Medie, Accra, Opoku stated that strengthening local manufacturing is essential for building a resilient Ghanaian economy. He pointed out that Ghana's annual expenditure of approximately $3 billion on food imports represents a significant outflow of potential jobs and economic growth.

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The more we patronize imported food products, the more financially strong the manufacturers become and the more they expand.

"The more we patronize imported food products, the more financially strong the manufacturers become and the more they expand," Opoku explained. He acknowledged that locally processed foods might initially be more expensive due to demand and supply dynamics. However, he expressed confidence that increased domestic consumption would lead to greater production volumes and, consequently, lower prices over time.

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This is laudable and part of the solution we are being faced with today in Ghana. We urge you to continue with the investment. We want to give you the assurance that the Ministry Of Food And Agriculture is with you and will do everything possible to help you expand.

The government intends to support local manufacturing firms with capital to facilitate their expansion and enable them to meet both domestic and international demands. Opoku also addressed the issue of agricultural gluts, noting that individual purchases alone are insufficient to absorb farmer output, underscoring the importance of agro-processing. He lauded P&A Foods for establishing a plant capable of processing various agricultural products, including maize, cassava, palm, eggs, and vegetables, calling it "part of the solution" to Ghana's challenges.

Richard Mainoo, Managing Director of P&A Africa Foods Limited, requested the government's assistance in constructing modern warehouses to improve storage and reduce post-harvest losses. He highlighted the importance of adequate storage infrastructure for a stable supply of raw materials and continuous production. Mainoo also welcomed the government's "24-hour economy" policy, seeing it as an opportunity for agro-processing companies to expand operations.

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Adequate storage infrastructure is essential to ensuring stable supply of raw materials throughout the year and sustaining continuous production under a 24-hour operating model.