President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish a maize processing factory in the Sissala area of the Upper West Region as part of the government’s efforts to promote agro-industrialisation and add value to the country’s agricultural produce.
The factory, according to the President, will be situated within the maize-growing belt of the Sissala West, a major maize-producing zone in the region, to support local processing, create jobs and expand export opportunities.
The project forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen agro-processing under its 24-hour economy initiative.
President Mahama made the announcement during a courtesy call by the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, July 8, where he outlined a series of interventions aimed at transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods in the region.
He explained that the maize processing factory is one of 10 such facilities planned across the country to reduce the export of raw agricultural produce and increase value addition through local manufacturing.
“We are investing in maize processing, and a maize processing factory is going to be built in the maize-growing belt in the Sissala area. We are building 10 of those factories, and one will be located in the Sissala area,” the President said.
According to him, the initiative is aligned with government’s vision of developing agro-processing industries centred on key crops including maize, rice, groundnuts, millet and soya beans, with the aim of increasing production, and boosting exports of finished products.
President Mahama said the agro-processing drive will be anchored by the proposed Shea Park Resource Centre and implemented alongside the Accelerated Export Development Programme to strengthen agricultural value chains across the country.
Touching on broader agricultural investments, the President said government, through the Feed Ghana Programme, is investing in improved seeds, fertiliser support, mechanisation, farmer service centres, warehousing, irrigation and climate-smart technologies to increase agricultural productivity.
He disclosed that government has identified 50 locations for Farmer Service Centres nationwide, with work expected to begin on 11 centres this year, including one in the Upper West Region.
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