A US$2 million maize processing factory established by KEDAN Limited has been commissioned in Tumu in the Sissala West Municipality, marking a major boost for agribusiness, youth employment and food security in the Upper West Region.
The factory, which includes a processing plant, warehouse, administrative block and a 200-acre maize farm, has the capacity to process up to 7,000 metric tonnes of maize annually, translating into 30 tonnes per day —about 600 bags of 50kg maize.
It will produce maize grits, maize flour, fortified maize meal and maize bran for poultry and other animal feed.
Speaking at the commissioning on Wednesday, Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, described the investment as a practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to agriculture-led industrialisation.
“Food security is national security. Any investment that adds value to what our farmers produce and creates jobs for our young people is an investment in Ghana’s stability and future,” he said.
Hon. Puozuing said the factory is expected to inject capital into the local economy, create direct and indirect jobs, and provide a ready market for maize farmers in Sissala East, Sissala West and adjoining districts.
“This factory means farmers will no longer struggle to sell their maize. It means jobs for our youth, incomes for households and renewed confidence in agriculture as a viable business,” he added.
Founded in 2014, KEDAN Limited has positioned itself as an agro-processing company focused on value addition to locally grown maize, linking smallholder farmers to structured markets while supporting food and feed production.
The Regional Minister situated the investment within the broader agricultural agenda of the NDC government under President John Dramani Mahama, which he said prioritises food security, agro-processing, import substitution and job creation.
“The Mahama-led NDC government is deliberately investing in agriculture not just at the farm level, but across the value chain —from production to processing and marketing. That is how we create sustainable jobs and keep food affordable for Ghanaians,” Hon. Puozuing stated.
He urged financial institutions, farmer groups and the youth to take advantage of emerging agribusiness opportunities being driven by private sector investments like KEDAN, stressing that Upper West has the land, labour and raw materials to become a major agro-industrial hub.
The commissioning of the KEDAN factory comes amid renewed efforts by government to scale up agro-processing as a tool for rural development, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen Ghana’s food system, particularly in northern regions.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
