Ghana has strengthened its agricultural cooperation with Spain in a major move designed to scale tomato production and reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imports. The new partnership targets agro-industrial expansion, with strong emphasis on value addition, technology transfer, and rural job creation.
Officials discussed the agreement in Barcelona during high-level talks between Ghana’s Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and executives of GB Foods. The discussions focused on expanding tomato cultivation and building stronger supply chains that support both farmers and processors.
The Vice President stated that government backing across the agricultural value chain will improve production capacity and strengthen agro-processing systems. She stressed that Ghana welcomes partnerships that directly benefit local farmers while expanding commercial opportunities. She also emphasized that smallholder inclusion remains central to the country’s agricultural strategy.
Furthermore, she noted that such collaborations will stabilise supply, create employment opportunities, and improve rural livelihoods. These outcomes, she added, will also support broader national economic growth.
GB Foods Africa corporate affairs director Teddy Ngu confirmed that the company has secured about 6,000 hectares of land in Ghana’s Afram Plains for large-scale tomato farming. He explained that the investment responds to supply disruptions, including export restrictions previously experienced from Burkina Faso.
He highlighted the role of technology in improving yields and pointed out major productivity gaps between countries. According to him, Ghana’s yield levels remain significantly lower than those in Spain and China. However, he noted that similar interventions helped increase yields in Nigeria from five to 60 tonnes per hectare, and he expressed confidence that Ghana could achieve comparable progress.
In addition, the Afram Plains project will introduce irrigation systems and modern farming methods. These improvements aim to reduce post-harvest losses while increasing overall output. As a result, the initiative is expected to transform the region into a key tomato production hub.
Analysts say the Ghana–Spain partnership reflects a growing trend of European agribusiness interest in West Africa. This shift focuses on strengthening food systems, improving supply chain resilience, and expanding agro-industrial investment across the region.
Ultimately, the agreement supports Ghana’s long-term plan to reduce tomato imports, enhance food security, and build a stronger agricultural economy. It also opens new pathways for economic cooperation between Ghana and Spain beyond agriculture, including knowledge transfer and industrial development.
