Ashanti Region, Ghana – In line with the forward-looking vision of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama to revive Ghana’s once-thriving jute industry, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, led an inspection tour of key jute manufacturing facilities in the Ashanti Region. This initiative forms part of the broader Jute Value Chain Development Project aimed at replacing the annual importation of over 50 million jute sacks with Ghanaian-manufactured alternatives.
The tour included a visit to Otumfuo’s Jute Factory located at Sabin Akrofoum near Santasi, as well as the recently refurbished Jospong Group’s Kaase Jute Factory. The inspection was to assess the operational state of the facilities and begin laying the foundation for a structured, national framework that will drive the implementation of President Mahama’s Jute Value Chain Development agenda.
According to Dr. Otokunor, the Mahama-led administration is determined to revitalize the jute sector with a target of producing at least 58.4 million sacks annually within Ghana. This move is expected to significantly cut down on imports, conserve foreign exchange, and bolster the country’s industrialization and job creation efforts.
“The revival of the jute industry is a strategic economic intervention. It holds the potential to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, support local farmers, enhance agricultural packaging, and place Ghana at the forefront of eco-friendly production in the subregion,” Dr. Otokunor stated.
The visit also featured engagement with key stakeholders including factory managers, local authorities, sector experts, and representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, who all welcomed the initiative and pledged their support for its successful execution.
The Jute Value Chain Development Project is a major component of the Mahama administration’s broader plan to build a resilient agribusiness sector, strengthen local manufacturing capacity, and drive inclusive economic growth.