President John Dramani Mahama announced on Saturday, September 12, that a maize processing plant will be established in the Sissala area of the Upper West Region. The move aims to tackle the persistent glut that has plagued local farmers.
Speaking at a citizens’ engagement event hosted by the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Mahama said the plant would purchase maize from farmers and add value to the crop for both domestic consumption and export. “We are going to set up a maize processing plant in the Sissala area. The plant will not only buy the maize, but it will also process the maize for the market and for export and so I believe that this glut will become a thing of the past,” he declared.
In addition to the plant, the president revealed plans to increase funding for the National Food Buffer Stock Company so it can acquire more surplus maize. He cited inadequate storage as a bottleneck, explaining that the company’s warehouses are often full and lack space for excess produce. To address this, he announced the construction of new silos at all storage centres.
Mahama’s announcement is part of his Resetting Ghana Tour, which seeks to engage citizens across the country and promote sustainable agricultural solutions.
Observers will watch how the new plant and expanded buffer stock facilities impact maize prices and farmer incomes in the coming months.
