The World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the GRATIS Foundation, has trained 231 young Ghanaian artisanal fabricators to produce high-quality agricultural threshing equipment under supervised quality assurance mechanisms.
The initiative, aimed at strengthening local fabrication, skills development, and ownership, is being implemented across seven Technology Solution Centres located in Hohoe, Dormaa, Savelugu, Konongo, Kumawu, Bolgatanga, and Techiman.
Under the programme, the trained artisans are fabricating 300 threshers, comprising 200 maize threshers and 100 soybean threshers. The equipment will be installed at selected agribusiness sites serving women and youth smallholder farmers across the country.
Speaking at the launch and outdooring of the WFP Local Fabricators Post-Harvest Equipment Programme in Savelugu, the Country Director of WFP, Madam Aurore Rusiga, said the initiative aligns strongly with Ghana’s Feed Ghana Programme, particularly its mechanisation agenda, and reflects WFP’s commitment to supporting nationally led development priorities.
“This programme goes beyond equipment delivery. It integrates hands-on user training, the development of user manuals, routine maintenance services, and a technical support and maintenance framework anchored in local capacity,” Madam Rusiga stated.
She noted that once fully operational, the initiative is expected to directly benefit over 3,000 farmers, helping to improve productivity, reduce drudgery, and preserve the value of harvested crops.
Reaffirming WFP’s commitment to impactful partnerships, Madam Rusiga said: “Together, we can ensure that what Ghana grows is well-managed from farm to market and transformed into lasting prosperity for communities and the nation at large.”
Also speaking at the event, Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, observed that despite significant investments in boosting agricultural production, Ghana continues to lose a substantial portion of farm output due to poor post-harvest handling practices.
According to him, inadequate storage and processing services have eroded farmers’ incomes, wasted labour, and weakened the country’s food systems.
“The future of Ghana’s agriculture lies in efficiency, value addition, and dignity of work. It also depends on empowering women farmers, equipping young people with relevant skills, and ensuring that what the country grows is not lost, but leveraged for national development,” the Minister said.
Beyond equipment delivery, the programme includes user training, routine maintenance services, and the deployment of agricultural engineering graduates to ensure safe operations and long-term sustainability.
The initiative is expected to play a critical role in strengthening Ghana’s post-harvest systems while creating jobs and building technical capacity among the youth.
Source: 3news
