Chairperson of Agribusiness at the Association of Ghana Industries, Fatima Alimohamed, says investment in storage infrastructure and advanced food processing methods is crucial to addressing the challenge of food security in Ghana.
“We need to invest in infrastructure and in terms of storage warehouses to be able to take care of this kind of foods because they’re perishable, you can’t keep tomatoes. You’ve got to get it from the market and send it, but more than that we now need to start thinking very progressively in terms of dehydrated foods as well.”
“In terms of how can we take our yam, how can we take our cassava? How can we turn it into dehydrated foods. If you look at China right now, you won’t believe that China is actually creating fish and putting it into a frozen state while it’s alive. You can put it back into water and it comes to life.” She added.
Despite the many interventions by the government in the agricultural sector, food security remains a major concern.
The situation has become of greater concern, especially with the Russia Ukraine war as these two countries are global major food and agro-input sources.
Madam Alimohamed, further stressed that the country has to actively look inwards to address its food security concerns.
“Again, so if these are the kind of things that are happening, you know globally we need to fast track ourselves and we need to stop depending on imports. I mean, food is something we have the land, we have, the water, we have the soil to produce and that’s why people come here. It’s because in Africa we have everything we’ve been gifted. We just need to take charge of it.”
She spoke to the media on the sidelines of the Ghana Agriculture and Agro-processing Awards 2022.
The Ghana Agriculture and Agro-Processing Awards brings together and celebrates key players in the agriculture and agro-processing industry.
The awards recognize the achievements of individuals and companies that play a significant role in the development of the agriculture sector while recognizing the key functions within the industry that promote standards, excellence, innovation in agribusiness and stewardship.
Oheneba Kwabena Kena, Chief Executive Officer of Unique solutions, the organisers of the event stated that such awards are important to urge stakeholders in the agricultural sector and preserve the industry.
