By Raymond Rex Awiagah
Background
The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has invested $440,480 (over 7 million Ghana Cedis) in dried fruits production to boost trade and create jobs in Ghana.
This funding will expand the processing capacity of Pure and Just Limited, a Ghanaian company which transforms fresh fruit like mango, pawpaw, pineapple, and banana, into all-natural dried products through climate-smart agro-processing.
Point of view from USAID
Speaking at the USAID-Supported Export -Oriented Factory Launch at Nsawam in Ghana, the Acting Mission Director of USAID Ghana, Grace Lang said the US Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) remains committed to supporting local food processing firms to attract the needed funding for expansion and export.
“United States is working to improve Ghana’s companies by meeting international standards to increase trade. we want you to trade with us of course but there are also rich markets opened through the African Continental Free Trade Area. US governments effort of boosting agriculture productivity, increasing local ownership and strengthening businesses right here across Ghana and it is needed” -Grace Lang revealed.
According to her, Ghana holds substantial potential in the global processed fruit market but 66% of fresh fruits from Ghana are rejected annually due to inadequate post-harvest handling, sanitary issues which impedes economic growth.
“So, US effort in improving food security, create jobs, foster economic growth and ultimately enhance the wellbeing and prosperity of Ghanaians and USAID is central to that effort, Pure and Just is a shining example of how such USAID investments can unlock Ghana’s economic and agricultural potential.
Initiative for support by USAID
Under the USAID-feed the future Africa trade and investment activity, pure and just received $440,480 (over 7 million Ghana Cedis) to expand the factory. Today the facility is capable of generating over 28 million cedis annually revenue with a production capacity of 240 metric tons per year.
The big break for Pure and Just Limited
Chief Executive Officer of Pure and Just, Yvette Tetteh expressed her appreciation to USAID and other partners for the support.
“As we have gone through this journey, we have really tried to live and demonstrate the resilience and ingenuity that we see in Ghanians.
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The journey so far for Pure and Just Limited
She recounted the humble beginning of how they converted a rentered house into a factory to start production.
“From the rented house we thought we can be a real company , we can mobilize resources, we can bring together a team to create a product that is amazing, that is beautiful that is impressive that people can be proud of and in doing that work, we can also create employment for young people, we can create high revenue for our farmers and we can really be a part of contributing to the development of Ghana”.
Yvette Tettey added that ” that began our journey to trying to getting the funding we needed to be able to really set up our own processing facility that was capable not just of serving the local market which is important to us but also achieving our goal of taking a well class Ghanaian product unto the international stage”.
USAID-Supported Export -Oriented Factory
The factory has the potential to process 144 tons of fresh fruits a year, generate 28 million Ghana Cedis in annual revenue, create jobs, and provide economic opportunities for up to 1,500 farmers.