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Dr. Bawumia endorses Jospong Group, Komptech 30m Euro rice project partnership
The Vice President, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has implored investors from Austria to take advantage of Ghana’s economic and political stability to invest in the country.
Speaking at B2B session with the Austrian delegation led by the Federal Chancellor, H.E. Karl Nehammer, in Accra under the auspices of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Vice President reiterated Ghana commitment to strategic partnership with the private sector and enhanced efforts for industrialization and productive transformation to achieve sustainable economic growth.
He said Ghana is open for business and is eager to forge mutual beneficial rewarding relationships with Austria.
As Ghana and Austria seem to forge stronger bonds, we have to sustain such relationship through improved technical and science-based education, technology and also address unfair trade relations among others,” he stressed.
He noted that the Austrian Federal Chancellor’s participation at this business forum also demonstrates the commitment of the Austrian government to enhance collaboration between private and public sectors of the two countries for mutual benefits.
He noted that Ghana has a stable political environment, strong democratic culture, safe and happy people underpinned by freedom of expression.
In the volatile West Africa, Ghana is ranked as the most peaceful country and the second most peaceful country in Africa, he further emphasized.
He also noted Ghana has educated and competitive and trainable labour force which should motivate the Austrian investors to consider investing in Ghana.
He observed the timing for the meeting was auspicious as the devastated effects of COVID 19, climate change and ongoing energy and food crisis has dessmonstrated the need for increased global collaboration.
These global developments have amplified protection and distortions of supply chains with ramifications for economies in the continent including Ghana,” he stated.
Dr. Bawumia however noted that Ghana has initiated steps to bounce back stronger.
Ghana had its fair share of these burdens and is making concrete efforts to bounce back stronger, ” he stressed.
As we pull together to revive the global economy, and secure our future against economic, environmental, health security treats the contribution of Africa to these efforts cannot be understated.
Dr. Bawumia was pleased to see the union of Jospong Group and Komptech as the two signed a 30 million Euro agreement to support rice, maize and soya production in the country production in Ghana.
The agreement, which was signed by the Executive Chairman of Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw-Adjepong and Markus Maierhofer on behalf of Komptech, will see Komptech providing machinery and technological support to the Jospong Group rice project.
Komptech is one of the leading international technology providers for machinery and systems for the mechanical and biological processing of solid waste.
The Jospong Group rice project which is being championed by the Asian African Consortium (AAC) is an integrated rice project is to make Ghana self-sufficient in rice production resulting in significant economic benefit for the country”.
Executive Chairman of Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, in a brief remarked invited other stakeholders to join this initiative to improves Ghana’s food security by producing locally the food that it imports.
He said, the project team has invited the business mogul, Ibrahim Mahama, and other likeminded businessmen to be part and support the consortium.
H.E. Karl Nehammer, the first leader of Austria to visit Ghana, in his remarked, noted that Ghana has been a reliable partner to Austria and Austria will continue to deepen its engagement with Ghana, adding that trade between the two countries has increased in the past few years.
We therefore see great potential for more development and our aim is to create a partnership of equals for mutual benefits,” he emphasized.
Backgroud
Last year, Asian African Consortium entered partnership with major rice industry players in Thailand to develop an integrated rice farming project. This move by Jospong Group stemmed from the government’s decision to boost the economy through import substitution.
A core team later visited Thailand for the Ghana-Thailand Business conference in March 2023 with researchers from various universities in Ghana as well as major players in the rice industry.
Last year, Ghana spent over GH¢6.8billion (equivalent to US$560million at current market rates) importing rice, a grain that can be produced locally.
While total rice consumption stood at 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2022, imports valued at US$560 million accounted for 800,000 metric tonnes (mt) of the consumption figure, with domestic production catering for the remaining demand – according to data from IDH Sustainable Trade, a foundation headquartered in The Netherlands.
Similarly, according to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, between 2010 and 2020 the country’s rice imports hit a staggering US$8billion. This, in addition to imports of other food items that can be produced locally, has been a major source of concern for stakeholders.
Parliament has confirmed that the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwame Ohene Frimpong, has been detained at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Parliament said the incident had been brought to the attention of the House leadership.
According to the statement, the Speaker of Parliament and the leadership of the House are currently in contact with Ghana’s Mission in The Hague to gather detailed information about the matter.
Parliament, however, did not disclose the reasons behind the MP’s detention.
“The public will be duly informed appropriately on this matter,” the statement added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
