Mahama announces maize processing factory for Sissala under Agro-Industrialisation Drive

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will establish a maize processing factory in the Sissala area of the Upper West Region to boost agro-industrialisation, create jobs and increase value addition to Ghana's agricultural produce.

The proposed factory will be located within the maize-growing belt of Sissala West, one of the country's key maize-producing areas, to support local processing, reduce post-harvest losses and expand opportunities for both domestic and export markets.

The initiative forms part of the government's broader agro-processing agenda under its 24-hour economy programme.

President Mahama made the announcement on Wednesday, July 8, during a courtesy call by the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House, where he outlined a number of interventions aimed at accelerating agricultural development and improving livelihoods in the region.

He explained that the Sissala facility will be one of 10 maize processing factories planned nationwide to reduce the export of raw agricultural commodities while promoting local manufacturing and value addition.

“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,” President Mahama stated.

The President said the factories would form part of a wider strategy to develop agro-processing industries centred on major crops such as maize, rice, groundnuts, millet and soya beans, with the objective of increasing production, creating employment and boosting exports of processed agricultural products.

He added that the initiative would be supported by the proposed Shea Park Resource Centre and implemented alongside the Accelerated Export Development Programme to strengthen agricultural value chains across the country.

President Mahama also highlighted other investments under the Feed Ghana Programme, including the provision of improved seeds, fertiliser support, mechanisation services, irrigation infrastructure, warehousing facilities, climate-smart technologies and Farmer Service Centres to enhance agricultural productivity.

He disclosed that the government has identified 50 locations nationwide for the establishment of Farmer Service Centres, with construction expected to begin this year on 11 of them, including one in the Upper West Region.