The newly constituted governing board of the Yoo Rice Factory in the Savelugu Municipality has been inaugurated with a charge to turn the facility into a productive engine for local rice farming, job creation and Ghana’s drive to reduce dependence on imported rice.
Deputy Minister for Trade, Hon. Sampson Ahi, who inaugurated the board on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, described the development as a new chapter in Savelugu’s contribution to Ghana’s quest for food sovereignty and industrial transformation.
He said the increasing demand for rice in Ghana makes the effective operation of local processing facilities such as Yoo Rice critical to the country’s efforts to strengthen domestic production and processing.
According to the Deputy Minister, rice is Ghana’s second most important cereal after maize, with per capita consumption rising from about 12 kilogrammes in 1980 to almost 56 kilogrammes today.
He said national demand has now reached approximately 1.8 million metric tonnes of milled rice annually, underscoring the need for stronger investment across the rice value chain.
The Yoo Rice Processing Factory was established under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative as a modern rice processing facility serving farmers in Savelugu and surrounding communities.
The facility has parboiling, milling and packaging capabilities and was designed to provide an important link between rice production and the market, while creating opportunities for farmers to add value to their produce locally.
At the inauguration, the Savelugu Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Alhassan Fuseini, said the factory has the potential to transform the local rice economy by creating jobs, improving rice cultivation and contributing to efforts to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported rice.
He urged the newly inaugurated board to commit itself to the growth and sustainability of the factory.
The board brings together representatives from traditional leadership, farmers, agriculture, education, internal audit, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness and women’s groups.
The members are Mr Mohammed Alhassan, Traditional Authority Representative; Lawyer Mohammed Alhassan, Legal Representative; Mr Awal Suhuyini, Coordinating Director; Alhaji Alhassan Sumani, Educationist; Alhaji Issah Issahaku, Farmer-Based Organisation Representative; Alhaji Salam, Farmer-Based Organisation Representative; Alidu Mutala, Farmer-Based Organisation Representative; Mahafuzu Mohammed, Internal Audit; Mr Hamza Saana, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness Representative; Baba Musah, Agriculture Director; and Hajia Kate, Women’s Representative.
The new board is expected to provide strategic direction for the factory and strengthen its relationship with rice farmers, government institutions and other stakeholders across the value chain.
For Savelugu, the immediate challenge is no longer simply having a rice processing facility, but ensuring that the factory operates efficiently enough to create a reliable market for farmers and compete meaningfully in Ghana’s growing rice market.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
