27 Agribusinesses receive warehouse equipment under EU-GIZ grant to boost post-harvest management

In a major boost to post-harvest management and agribusiness development in northern Ghana, 27 agribusinesses across the Upper West, Savannah, and North East regions have received essential warehouse equipment through a grant arrangement between the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union (EU) under the Ghana Agricultural Programme (EU-GAP).

The selected beneficiaries, drawn from a pool of 57 assessed warehouses, were handed over equipment including moisture metres, digital weighing scales, plastic and wooden pallets, extendable metallic ladders, tampons, bag stitches, and test weights during a short ceremony held at Antika Company Limited in Wa.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Kofi Setor Dumelo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a modern, inclusive, and economically viable sector.

He stated that the equipment aligns with the government's Feed Ghana initiative, aimed at enhancing post-harvest management and minimizing losses along the value chain.

“The warehouse equipment we are handing over today will complement the Feed Ghana Programme by strengthening post-harvest management and storage capabilities. It is our belief that this intervention will have a lasting impact on the productivity and profitability of agribusinesses in the region,” the Deputy Minister said.

The grant arrangement, signed last year between the EU, GIZ, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, is focused on improving warehouse infrastructure and operations. The 27 beneficiaries were selected based on rigorous and transparent criteria, including scale of operations, equipment needs, service to smallholder farmers, strategic location, and inclusion of women-led businesses.

Mr. Jeremy Agyemang, Head of the Agribusiness Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of quality storage in preserving both the quantity and value of produce.

“Ghana loses a significant portion of its harvest annually due to inadequate storage and handling. This equipment will change that narrative, boosting farmer incomes and ensuring food reaches consumers in top condition,” he noted.

In addition to equipment provision, the EU-GIZ partnership has supported training for warehouse and packhouse operators as well as aggregators. These trainings cover equipment use and digital platforms to ensure effective and sustainable use of resources.

Mr. Elvis Mensah-Bonsu, Component Manager at GIZ Ghana, underscored the project’s emphasis on capacity development.

“Our joint implementation approach has not only addressed infrastructure needs but also enhanced the capabilities of key actors across the agricultural value chain. This holistic support aims to ensure long-term sustainability,” he said.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Lawyer Charles Lwanga Puozuing, lauded the intervention as both timely and transformational.

“This equipment will reduce post-harvest losses, promote effective storage, and bring efficiency to our value chains. We appreciate the continued support from GIZ and the people of Germany,” he remarked.

Alhaji Abdulai Antiku Seidu, Managing Director of Antika Company Limited, expressed gratitude to the EU, GIZ, and the Ministry of Agriculture for their commitment to strengthening agribusiness operations. He encouraged beneficiaries to take full ownership of the equipment and ensure its proper maintenance.

Over the eight-year period of the EU-GAP, more than 83,000 smallholder farmers and nearly 400 agricultural extension officers have been capacitated. The impact of this initiative is expected to be far-reaching, improving food security, enhancing livelihoods, and contributing significantly to Ghana’s agricultural transformation agenda.