By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, March 05, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned the OLAM Agri Pasta Processing Plant in Kpone, near Tema.
The facility would help reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported pasta by utilizing locally milled wheat flour, create new jobs and boost local food security.
President Mahama in his remarks reiterated that the commissioning of the Plant would generate sustainable jobs and develop an economy that would increasingly depend on local production rather than imports.
He noted that the commissioning of such a plant marked a conscious shift moving from reliance to production and from missed opportunities to targeted industrial growth.
“When we discuss food production, we refer to issues that directly impact our citizens’ daily lives,” he said.
He said for decades, Ghana had depended heavily on imported processed food products, even when local production could meet demand; adding that, “the results of this are clear”.
He said investments by companies committed to processing food locally were crucial for boosting national production capacity and creating jobs for the nation’s young people.
President Mahama in his address thanked Mr Sunny Verghese, the Co-founder and Group CEO of OLAM Agri Limited and his team for the wonderful work they were doing.
The President recalled when he went to Singapore last year and met the Management of OLAM who promised that before the middle of the year 2026, they would commission the Plant.
“And I’m happy to note that even before the target dates they gave us, we’re here to commission the Pasta Processing Plant,” he said.
He said Olam Agri had been operating in Ghana for 32 years and had broadened its activities from simple commodity training to agro-processing and food manufacturing.
OLAM’s operations in Ghana include cocoa, cashew, grains, wheat milling, biscuits manufacturing, tomato processing, and other food products that were familiar to many Ghanaian households.
The President said these were investments that people encountered in their everyday lives; stating that the Company currently employs over 4,500 Ghanaians in its operations, both directly and indirectly, a clear reflection of its long-term commitment to and partnership with the Ghanaian economy.
“This factory is going to operate a shift system, and it qualifies under our 24-hour economy initiative. And I am happy to inform the co-founder that we have passed the 24-hour economy authority bill, and the 24-hour economy initiative is becoming operational,” he said.
“I believe that Olam will be among the first industries to register. And among the incentives you are going to get include duty-free equipment imports.
“If you want to expand your factory, or you want to bring in new factory equipment to establish a new factory, you’ll be allowed to bring it in duty-free.”
He said the facility demonstrated what could be achieved when private investment aligns with national development priorities.
The President said looking ahead, projects like this should build confidence among local entrepreneurs, farmers, among investors considering Ghana as a place to produce and expand.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei