‘Encourage use of local raw materials to boost agric sector’

Ms Preba Greenstreet, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL), has said that Ghana’s agricultural sector can grow significantly if the manufacturing industry were to use more local raw materials for production.

She said this when she paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Fiifi Kwetey, in Accra.

Ms. Greenstreet said GGBL for example started investing in local raw material sourcing (LRM) over ten years ago, but stepped up the level of investment and focus two years ago after government provided excise duty concession on a sliding scale for beverages produced with local raw materials.

She added that there has been a significant growth in the sorghum, maize and cassava supply chains, generating employment and positively impacting livelihoods in the communities these raw materials are sourced from.

“We have just completed a baseline study on our LRM sourcing to enable us provide specific data on the positive impact of this project, which we will share with key stakeholders to underscore the importance of such initiatives in Ghana.”

On his part, Mr. Kwetey indicated government’s commitment to support the development of industries and the entire supply chain to boost the agricultural sector.