Local Manufacturers Key to Ghana’s Export-Led Recovery — Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, has underscored the critical role of local manufacturers in driving Ghana’s industrialisation and export-led economic recovery.

He made the remarks during a working visit to Nutrifoods Ghana Limited in Tema, where he commissioned a new can-making line valued at over US$500,000 at the company’s culinary plant within the Tema Industrial Area.

Leading a government delegation, Mr Debrah toured Nutrifoods’ two major facilities at Community 20 and the Tema Industrial Area, both recognised as among Ghana’s largest snack and culinary production sites.

Commending the company for its dedication to local production, export growth, and employee welfare, he described Nutrifoods as “a model for Ghana’s emerging 24-hour economy.”

Mr Debrah explained that his visit formed part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader initiative to identify and promote enterprises that already operate in line with the 24-hour economy concept, which seeks to encourage continuous production and job creation.

“I am particularly impressed that one of Nutrifoods’ plants runs triple shifts, providing constant employment and ensuring production never stops,” he said. “Companies like this show that Ghana can indeed become a manufacturing hub for West Africa.”

The Chief of Staff praised the company’s contribution to the country’s industrial transformation, citing its use of locally sourced raw materials and export of finished products to markets such as Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso.

He stressed the need for sustained confidence in Ghana’s manufacturing capabilities, noting: “We need to believe in ourselves that Ghana can export to the entire subregion. This is not just a political slogan, it is a practical reality when you see companies like Nutrifoods at work.”

Mr Debrah disclosed that government is engaging closely with private sector players to identify challenges and craft policies to support industrial expansion and job creation. He said the ongoing 24-hour Accelerated Export Drive Bill before Parliament is expected to offer incentives to attract investment into manufacturing and agro-processing.

He further commended Nutrifoods for maintaining high standards of safety, cleanliness, and product quality, and urged other local manufacturers to emulate its example.

On his part, the Managing Director and Business Head of Nutrifoods Ghana Limited, Mr Jay Anjaria, said the installation of the upgraded can-making line reinforces the company’s commitment to the government’s “Invest in Ghana” initiative aimed at enhancing domestic industrial capacity.

He reaffirmed Nutrifoods’ dedication to job creation, skills development, and sustainable production practices consistent with its core values of Responsibility, Transparency, and Consumer Trust.

Mr Anjaria expressed appreciation for the government’s engagement with industry leaders, saying such collaboration boosts confidence in the “Made in Ghana” and 24-hour economy vision.

“We are fully committed to this Made in Ghana 24-hour economy. In many ways, we are already living it,” he said.

Nutrifoods Ghana Limited, a joint venture between Olam International and Sanyo Foods, is one of the leading producers of culinary and snack products in Ghana, with a growing export footprint across West Africa.