The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced a major partnership between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and Sentuo Group Limited aimed at transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector through industrialisation and value addition.

Speaking at a media engagement during the signing ceremony in Accra on Monday, April 13, 2026, the Minister described the agreement as a “bold and deliberate step” toward repositioning Ghana’s agriculture under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.

According to Mr. Opoku, the agreement focuses on two key areas: the development of large-scale agro-processing infrastructure and the establishment of a national fertiliser manufacturing plant supported by an integrated agricultural input supply system.

He noted that the initiative will cover key commodities such as cashew, maize, rice, soybean, and oil palm, with the aim of shifting Ghana from a raw commodity-based economy to a value-driven, industrialised agricultural sector.

The Minister stressed that the fertiliser component of the agreement is particularly critical, as Ghana has for decades relied heavily on imports. This dependency, he said, has exposed farmers to global price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and foreign exchange constraints.

“With this agreement, we are taking a decisive step toward fertiliser independence,” he stated, adding that the project will enable local production of a wide range of fertilisers, including NPK, urea-based, blended, organic, and specialty types.

Mr. Opoku also highlighted government’s ongoing support for farmers through the 2026 budget, which includes the distribution of 272,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers nationwide and targeted supplies exceeding 164,000 metric tonnes for intensified crop production.

Additional provisions include specialised nutrients and a GH¢2.7 billion allocation for cocoa fertiliser support, benefiting over 661,000 farmers.

He, however, emphasised that government support alone is not sustainable without local production, describing the partnership with Sentuo Group as “strategic and transformational.”

The Minister commended the company’s leadership, particularly its representative, Ningquan Xu, for committing to finance, design, construct, and operate the proposed facilities under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

He added that the partnership aligns with Ghana’s Public Private Partnership Act 2020 and demonstrates investor confidence in the country’s economic direction.

Mr. Opoku further assured the public that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed is a non-binding framework agreement, with all subsequent stages subject to feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, regulatory approvals, and government oversight to ensure transparency and protect national interest.

Beyond fertiliser production, the agreement is expected to enhance Ghana’s agro-industrial ecosystem through the establishment of processing plants, warehousing systems, packaging facilities, and export-oriented production.

The Minister outlined several anticipated benefits, including reduced post-harvest losses, increased export earnings, stabilised input costs, job creation, improved food security, and strengthened economic resilience.

He added that the Ministry will work closely with relevant institutions to align the project with key national initiatives 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,” Mr. Opoku stated.

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