Ghana is intensifying efforts to promote local consumption and value addition as businesses increasingly transform locally produced agricultural commodities into innovative food products for the domestic market.
One of the latest developments is the launch of four new products by Pneuma Food Scientifics (PFS), with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH’s MOVE project.
The products are Cashmint Twist, a cashew apple infusion; Instant Rice Porridge Mix with Cashew Apple Powder; Instant Rice Porridge Mix with Cashew Nut Grits; and Cashew Energy Bar.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Ghana’s agri-food sector by supporting businesses to move beyond the production and sale of raw agricultural commodities and develop finished products that meet the tastes, needs and purchasing preferences of consumers.
The development comes at a time when Ghana continues to explore ways of increasing domestic value addition, creating jobs and improving the economic returns from agriculture.
Through the MOVE project, businesses are being supported to develop innovative and affordable food products using locally available raw materials.
Which seeks to encourage consumers to embrace products made from crops cultivated within the country.
The project has worked with 25 African companies since 2024, supporting the development of more than 65 new products.
The support is designed to help participating companies identify consumer needs, develop suitable products and strengthen their capacity to bring new offerings to the market.
Pneuma Food Scientifics is among the companies benefiting from the intervention, with the latest product launches demonstrating how agricultural commodities can be processed into convenient and consumer-oriented food products.
The Cashmint Twist, for instance, uses cashew apple, a part of the cashew fruit that has traditionally received less commercial attention compared with the nut.
By creating a cashew apple based infusion, the company is contributing to efforts to expand the range of products that can be developed from the crop while creating additional opportunities for farmers and processors.
The two instant rice porridge products also combine rice with cashew-derived ingredients, offering consumers convenient food options while demonstrating the potential for greater integration among agricultural value chains.
Importance of Locally Sourced Products
The Cashew Energy Bar further illustrates how locally sourced agricultural products can be incorporated into convenient food products for consumers seeking ready-to-eat options.
A key objective of the product development initiative is to ensure that innovation within the agri-food sector is connected to actual market demand.
Businesses are therefore encouraged to understand what consumers want and develop products that are affordable, accessible and suited to local tastes.
This approach could help strengthen domestic markets for agricultural produce while reducing dependence on imported processed food products.
The initiative also places emphasis on women’s participation in Africa’s agri-food economy.
According to the project, about 75 per cent of the companies supported by MOVE are led by women, highlighting the growing role of women entrepreneurs in developing new products and creating businesses around agriculture.
The participation of women in product development, processing and agribusiness has the potential to generate additional employment and income opportunities while strengthening women’s contribution to economic transformation.
“Since 2024, MOVE has worked with 25 African companies, supporting the development of more than 65 new products to develop innovative, affordable goods that respond to the tastes, needs and preferences of local consumers.”
MOVE, Women Led Agribusiness
Private Sector Innovation
The launch by PFS therefore provides an example of how private-sector innovation can contribute to the broader objective of building a stronger domestic agri-processing industry.
Among them is Pneuma Food Scientifics (PFS), which has just launched four new products,” the project states, highlighting the company’s latest additions to the market.
The development also reinforces the importance of strengthening linkages between farmers, processors, entrepreneurs and consumers.
For Ghana to derive greater economic benefits from agriculture, increasing production alone may not be sufficient. Developing processing and manufacturing capacity can create additional value from crops before they reach consumers.
Value addition can also provide opportunities for businesses to diversify their product lines, develop new markets and create employment along agricultural value chains.
For consumers, the availability of locally processed alternatives can provide greater choice while supporting businesses that source raw materials from local producers.
The initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ GmbH. “Keep An Eye Out For These Products, Support Local Businesses and Let’s Consume More of What Ghana Grows,” the initiative urges consumers.
The launch of the four PFS products is consequently being presented as more than a business milestone. It reflects the potential for Ghanaian and African entrepreneurs to transform agricultural commodities into commercially viable products while responding to changing consumer preferences.
With continued investment in product development, technology, entrepreneurship and market access, locally grown crops can provide the foundation for a wider range of processed foods and beverages.
The experience of Pneuma Food Scientifics also demonstrates the potential for partnerships between development programmes and private businesses to support innovation within the agri-food sector.
As Ghana seeks to deepen local production and consumption, initiatives that connect agricultural production with processing, branding and consumer demand are expected to remain important to the development of a more competitive agri-food industry.
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