Women engaged in tomato processing in Offinso North, Ashanti Region, have made a passionate appeal to the government for modern machinery and storage facilities to help curb post-harvest losses and scale up their operations.
Despite the region’s high tomato production, many of these processors struggle with wastage during bumper harvests due to the lack of processing plants and preservation technology.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Akumadan, a leading tomato-growing community, the women emphasized that with better equipment, they could process more raw tomatoes, create jobs for young women, and contribute to the successful implementation of the 24-hour economy initiative.
The Technoserve Ghana Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact, engaged the women during a forum marking International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme “March Forward, Accelerate Action for Young Women.”
Mrs. Abigail Boadu, General Manager of Freshline Processing Solutions, stated that her company buys tomatoes directly from farmers but struggles to process large quantities due to insufficient machinery and lack of storage facilities.
“With modern machines and equipment, we can expand operations, employ more young women, and sustain production around the clock, supporting the 24-hour economy,” she explained.
Similarly, Mrs. Agartha Twumasi, CEO of Agarts Processing Company, revealed that although her company has acquired land for expansion, it lacks cutters, slicing machines, and storage facilities needed to operate efficiently.
“If we receive the right support, we can process tomatoes throughout the year, prevent wastage, and create more employment opportunities for women in agriculture,” she added.
The HAPPY Program, a four-year partnership between Mastercard Foundation, Agri-Impact Limited, and eight other consortium partners, aims to create over 326,000 jobs for youth (70% women and persons with disabilities), increase food production by 20%, and reduce food imports by 10%.
Madam Caroline Dery, Senior Gender and Youth Manager at Technoserve Ghana, highlighted that the program aligns with Ghana’s push for economic growth through value addition.
By equipping local processors with modern machinery and storage solutions, the initiative can strengthen Ghana’s tomato value chain, reduce dependence on imports, and boost the agricultural sector’s contribution to economic development.
The women processors are hopeful that their appeal will be heard, paving the way for a more efficient, sustainable, and job-creating tomato industry in Ghana.
