Plantain Packers in Agogo Can Earn Up to GH¢1,000 a Day

Workers involved in packing plantain in Asante Akyem Agogo in Ghana’s Ashanti Region can earn as much as GH¢1,000 a day, depending on the number of sacks they manage to fill.

The work has become a source of income for labourers who help prepare harvested plantain for transportation to markets and other commercial destinations. Their earnings are based on output rather than a fixed daily salary, meaning the amount each worker takes home depends on productivity and the availability of work.

According to reports on the activity, workers receive GH¢20 for every sack of plantain they pack. At that rate, a worker who completes 50 sacks in a day can earn GH¢1,000.

However, reaching that amount depends on the individual’s ability to complete the required number of sacks and whether enough plantain is available to keep the work going throughout the day. Workers who pack fewer sacks earn correspondingly less.

The arrangement illustrates how piece-rate employment operates within parts of Ghana’s informal economy. Instead of receiving a predetermined wage, workers are paid according to the volume of work completed.

Agogo is known for its agricultural activities, including plantain production. The work of packers forms an important part of the local supply chain, helping ensure that harvested produce is prepared for transportation and sale.

After plantain is harvested, it must be handled and packed before being transported to markets. Workers involved in this process help connect farmers and traders, contributing to the movement of agricultural produce from growing areas to consumers.

For some labourers, plantain packing also provides an opportunity to supplement income from other activities. One worker reportedly explained that he combines packing with farming and attends to his own farm before returning to the packing work.

Such arrangements can provide additional earnings for people whose livelihoods depend on seasonal agricultural activities. They also demonstrate how different forms of informal employment operate alongside farming in rural communities.

Despite the possibility of earning a substantial amount in a single day, the reported GH¢1,000 should not be regarded as a guaranteed daily wage for every worker. Actual earnings can fluctuate depending on the number of sacks completed, the volume of plantain available and demand for packing services.

The work also requires physical effort, meaning that productivity may vary from one person to another. The income figures therefore reflect the potential earnings associated with high output rather than a standard amount received by all plantain packers.

Meanwhile, Agogo is expected to benefit from a proposed plantain-processing factory, which could create additional opportunities for the area’s agricultural sector. Further details would be needed to determine the project’s implementation timeline and its potential impact on farmers, packers and traders.

The experience of plantain packers in Agogo highlights the economic opportunities available through agricultural support activities and the contribution of informal workers to Ghana’s food distribution network.

It also demonstrates how productivity-based payment arrangements can enable some workers to earn significant amounts while leaving their daily income dependent on the work available and the number of sacks they can complete.

“We are able to pack 40–50 sacks every day, and each sack we fill costs GH¢20.”

— Plantain packers in Asante Akyem Agogo, one of Ghana’s largest plantain-producing hubs, reveal how many sacks they can pack daily and how much they earn per sack. https://t.co/cSCyTfybNB

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