Ghana has taken a major step toward reducing its dependence on imported tomatoes, following a new public-private partnership between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and agribusiness firm FarmMate.
The agreement, signed in Accra, sets out a collaborative framework in which the government will provide policy support and coordination, while FarmMate takes charge of implementation, production, and value chain operations.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, said Ghana is currently grappling with a significant gap between tomato supply and demand.
According to him, the country spends about $500 million each year on imports to meet local demand, with a shortfall of nearly one million tonnes during the lean season between December and July.
He explained that the partnership is expected to scale up tomato production across the country, with FarmMate expanding its out-grower scheme to cover 40,000 acres. The initiative is projected to deliver about 400,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes annually.
Beyond boosting production, the programme is also expected to create substantial employment opportunities.
It aims to support tens of thousands of farmers and generate over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs across the agricultural value chain, including production, aggregation, logistics, processing, and distribution.
A strong emphasis will also be placed on youth participation through structured training and apprenticeship programmes.
FarmMate’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sena Amevor, called on stakeholders across the tomato and vegetable sector — from farmers and processors to aggregators, market players, and investors — to support and actively participate in the initiative.
He expressed confidence in the partnership, noting that with strong government backing and a proven private-sector-led model, FarmMate is well-positioned to deliver lasting impact.
He said the goal is to improve livelihoods, stabilise the market, and ensure a consistent, year-round supply of tomatoes and other vegetable products across the country.