The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has signed a partnership agreement with Sentuo Group Limited to develop a national fertiliser manufacturing plant and large-scale agro-processing infrastructure aimed at transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The agreement, announced in Accra on Monday, 13 April 2026, will see the establishment of a national fertiliser manufacturing plant alongside large-scale agro-processing infrastructure to support value addition in the agricultural sector.

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, said the initiative is aimed at reducing Ghana’s long-standing dependence on imported fertilisers, which has exposed farmers to global price volatility and supply chain disruptions.

“With this agreement, we are taking a decisive step toward fertiliser independence,” he said.

The project is expected to support the local production of a wide range of fertilisers, including NPK, urea-based, blended, organic, and specialty types, while also strengthening the country’s agricultural input supply systems.

Beyond fertiliser production, the partnership will drive the development of processing plants, warehousing, and packaging facilities, as well as export-oriented production.

The initiative will focus on key commodities such as cashew, maize, rice, soybean, and oil palm as part of efforts to shift Ghana from a raw commodity-based economy to a value-driven agricultural system.

Opoku described the agreement as a “bold and deliberate step” towards repositioning Ghana’s agriculture under President John Dramani Mahama.

He noted that while government continues to support farmers through interventions captured in the 2026 budget—including the distribution of 272,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser nationwide and over 164,000 metric tonnes for intensified crop production—such measures are not sustainable without local production.

The budget also provides GHC2.7 billion for cocoa fertiliser support, expected to benefit more than 661,000 farmers.

Under the arrangement, Sentuo Group will finance, design, construct, and operate the facilities through a public-private partnership in line with Ghana’s Public Private Partnership Act, 2020.

The minister said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed is a non-binding framework, with subsequent stages subject to feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, and regulatory approvals.

He outlined key benefits of the project, including reduced post-harvest losses, increased export earnings, stabilised input costs, job creation, improved food security, and stronger economic resilience.

Opoku added that the ministry will align the initiative with national programmes such as the Feed Ghana Programme and the 24-Hour Economy policy.

“Today’s signing is not just an agreement—it is a signal that Ghana is ready for serious, long-term industrial investment,” he said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a modern and resilient agricultural sector capable of delivering sustainable benefits for future generations.