Accra: Ahodwo Farms has appealed for GHS2 million in working capital to expand gari production and participate in the 24-Hour Economy policy. The farm said increased financing would enable it to raise production, create jobs, and purchase more cassava from local farmers.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kofi Ansah, Chief Executive Officer of Ahodwo Farms, made the appeal during an interview while documenting the impact of a loan facility provided under the Post-COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP), funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). He explained that the farm currently operates 20 manual gari frying spots, with each worker capable of producing approximately 100 kilogrammes of gari daily, depending on the availability of cassava dough.
Mr. Ansah stated that the farm's current operating arrangement allows for the production of at least four tonnes of gari daily. However, under a two-shift operation, this could double to about eight tonnes daily, creating additional employment opportunities, particularly for women. He highlighted the potential of employing 40 women if the farm could operate at full capacity with the support of the 24-Hour Economy policy.
He identified inadequate working capital as the main constraint to operating at full capacity, noting that the entire gari production process required upfront financing. 'Every week, we buy cassava worth between GHS40,000 and GHS50,000. If GHS40,000 to GHS50,000 is going into cassava, you need at least GHS100,000 a week to process an average of about 10 tonnes,' he said.
Mr. Ansah urged the government to facilitate access to affordable financing for private businesses participating in the 24-Hour Economy policy, suggesting that agencies like the Ghana EXIM Bank and the Ghana Enterprises Agency could provide financing or guarantees at single-digit interest rates.
He also proposed government-backed guarantees to enable businesses to access financing from development partners and financial institutions. The proposed GHS2 million facility would allow Ahodwo Farms to pre-finance operations, increase gari production, and package its products for supermarkets, provision shops, and institutional consumers.
Mr. Ansah suggested linking local processors of commodities like rice, maize, and gari to institutional markets, including the School Feeding Programme. He emphasized the need for transparent financial arrangements to ensure efficient repayment processes.
Despite having applied to participate in the 24-Hour Economy programme in March 2026 and receiving an acknowledgment of receipt, Mr. Ansah has not received further communication regarding the application. He appealed to relevant government agencies to engage businesses capable of participating in the programme.
Ahodwo Farms occupies approximately 1,200 acres, with 800 acres dedicated to cassava cultivation for gari production. The farm also sources cassava from around 1,200 outgrowers in neighboring communities and employs 75 permanent workers. Mr. Ansah expressed confidence that additional working capital and stronger linkages with institutional off-takers would enable the farm to increase production, absorb more cassava from local farmers, and create additional jobs.