SankofaFresh uses technology to cut post-harvest losses and connect farmers to markets

Ghanaian startup SankofaFresh is leveraging cutting-edge technology to combat a significant issue in agriculture: post-harvest losses. Across the globe, a staggering 30 to 50 percent of fruits and vegetables perish between the farm and the market due to inadequate storage, transport delays, and disrupted cold chains. These losses not only devastate farming families' incomes but also result in a waste of nutritious food that could have reached consumers.

SankofaFresh aims to bridge this gap by utilizing technology to monitor, store, and connect fresh produce with buyers. The platform has already gained backing from Leehouse and Chemical Ventures, a Ghanaian food manufacturing company, which has helped reduce post-harvest losses and create more dependable market opportunities for smallholder farmers.

In a world where food loss and access to healthy diets continue to be global concerns, SankofaFresh's efforts directly contribute to enhancing food security and nutrition in Ghana and beyond.

The brainchild of co-founders Rhoda Osei-Nkwantabisa, Joshua Kojo Aduampong Mantey, George Arthur, and Rosemary Agbzo, SankofaFresh places a strong emphasis on data-driven solutions. Joshua Mantey, serving as Co-Founder and Head of Data and Artificial Intelligence, leads the development of the platform's cold-chain monitoring and farmer-to-market matching systems.

Mantey, also a PhD researcher at Northeastern University, focuses on large-scale computational modeling and machine learning for biopharmaceutical research. This same data-centric approach is applied across the entire food system to boost efficiency and minimize waste.

SankofaFresh's innovative approach has garnered international acclaim. In 2026, the platform was honored with the Audience Choice Award at the World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition, recognizing its efforts to mitigate post-harvest losses and bolster market access for smallholder farmers. As countries like Ghana confront ongoing food security challenges, SankofaFresh is poised to harness technology, data, and improved market connections as essential tools for ensuring that more of what farmers produce reaches those who need it.