Ghana is set to acquire a 21,000 metric-tonne grain storage facility under a US$4.8 million investment. The project is meant to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen national food security.
Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku announced the plan in Accra on Tuesday at the signing of a memorandum of understanding with DMT Collateral.
He said higher rice and maize output under government programmes was exposing inadequate warehouse capacity. The National Food Buffer Stock Company has funds to buy surplus produce, but limited storage still undermines efforts to preserve harvested grain.
Opoku urged the partners to consider expanding the project. He said Ghana needed more than 15 silos, with the number potentially rising to 20, to support grain production across the country. The ministry would offer technical help and work with institutions including the National Service Authority on implementation and management.
DMT Collateral Managing Director Paul Minlah said the company would lead technical and commercial development, mobilise funding and work with a Joint Project Implementation Committee. The facility is also intended to support a national emergency food reserve and to train local staff in grain drying, quality management and equipment maintenance.