Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has officially inaugurated the Olam Agri Pasta Processing Plant located in Kpone near Tema.
The new facility is expected to cut down Ghana’s dependence on imported pasta products by using wheat flour milled locally. It is also anticipated to create employment opportunities while strengthening the country’s food security.
During the ceremony, President Mahama emphasised that the new plant would provide long-term employment and help build an economy that prioritises local manufacturing over the importation of goods.
According to him, the establishment of the plant symbolises a deliberate transition from dependency to self-sufficiency and reflects a move toward focused industrial development.
He explained that discussions about food production are closely tied to matters that directly affect the everyday lives of citizens.
For many years, he noted, Ghana has relied significantly on imported processed foods despite the possibility of meeting some of the demand through domestic production, adding that the consequences of that reliance are evident.
He further stated that investments from companies willing to process food locally play a key role in increasing national production capacity and generating employment for the country’s youth.
In his address, the President expressed appreciation to Sunny Verghese, Co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Olam Agri Limited, as well as his team, for their efforts and commitment.
Mahama recalled his trip to Singapore in 2025, where he met with Olam’s management team who pledged to complete the plant before the middle of 2026.
He noted with satisfaction that the company had fulfilled its promise earlier than expected, allowing the commissioning of the pasta processing facility ahead of schedule.
The President also highlighted that Olam Agri has operated in Ghana for more than three decades, expanding from commodity trading into agro-processing and food manufacturing.
He explained that the company’s activities in Ghana cover areas such as cocoa, cashew, grains, wheat milling, biscuit production, tomato processing and other food items widely consumed in Ghanaian homes.
Mahama pointed out that these investments form part of everyday products used by citizens, adding that the company currently provides employment for more than 4,500 Ghanaians through both direct and indirect jobs, demonstrating its long-standing partnership with the Ghanaian economy.
He further indicated that the new factory would run on a shift-based system and therefore fits within the government’s 24‑Hour Economy Initiative.
The President announced that the legislation establishing the 24-Hour Economy Authority has been passed, paving the way for the initiative to begin implementation.
He added that Olam Agri could be among the first companies to register under the programme and would benefit from incentives such as duty-free importation of industrial equipment.
According to him, companies seeking to expand their factories or bring in additional machinery for new production lines would be allowed to import such equipment without paying duties.
Mahama concluded by saying that the project serves as an example of what can be achieved when private sector investments align with the country’s development agenda.
Looking forward, he said initiatives like this should encourage local entrepreneurs and farmers while also strengthening investor confidence in Ghana as a destination for manufacturing and expansion.