Mahama announces plans to establish processing plant to tackle maize glut

President John Dramani Mahama has outlined plans to establish a maize processing plant in the Sissala area of the Upper West Region of Ghana. This initiative aims to address the recurring oversupply of maize among local farmers. Delivered during a citizen's engagement at the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies on September 12, Mahama stated that the new facility would provide farmers with a dependable market, while transforming maize into products suitable for both local consumption and export.

The president emphasized that the plant would not only purchase maize, but also process it for sale in the market and for export, effectively converting the glut into an opportunity. He noted that the plant would go beyond mere purchasing by adding value to the crop, thus incentivizing higher production with the assurance of a sustainable outlet.

Furthermore, Mahama revealed that the government would augment funding to the National Food Buffer Stock Company to enhance its capacity to buy surplus maize from farmers. He pointed out that limited storage space had previously hindered the company’s ability to absorb excess harvests and announced plans to construct silos at its storage centers.

In addition, Mahama directed the Finance Minister to release an extra GH₵200m to tackle the maize glut. He also mentioned ongoing exploratory work by the government regarding egg powder production as another strategy to address the glut.