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Fact sheet about agric machines in Ghana
It is interesting to note that:
- Diesel/kerosene fired dryer was released in 2014. This is a dryer that employs indirect heating for drying grains and for processing food. It is applicable in all maize growing areas in Ghana.
The dryer is suitable for crop grain drying and for food processing; atomiser is locally manufactured; does not use exhaust fumes for drying. The technology reduces postharvest losses.
- Walk-in hot air cabinet dryer was released in 1993. The walk-in hot air cabinet dryer is available in four sizes 56 trays, 84 trays, 100 trays and 140 trays.
The dryer uses electrical energy as its source of fuel and has automatic temperature control system and a 24-hour timer to predetermine period of operation.
It is applicable in all cereals, root and tubers, and fruits growing areas in Ghana. It is used for drying of food commodities such as roots and tubers, vegetables, fruits, cereals, etc.
- Micro-nutrients fortification mixer for dietary supplementation for malnourished community was released in 2007.
The technology is for fortification of food with vitamin premix for malnourished children and women in Northern Ghana.
It is applicable in Northern Ghana. It is used for improvement of nutritional status of rural communities of northern Ghana.
- Snail meat preservation was released in 1995. The technology describes a more hygienic, appropriate and low-cost method for the preparation, spicing and solar dehydration of snail meat.
A second technology developed involved spice extraction and snail meat preparation for the corning of snail meat in brine. It is applicable in snail rearing communities.
It is used for snail meat preservation (solar dehydrated and canned) to offset scarcity of the product during the dry season when snails are scarce.
- Palm kernel shell separator was released in 2012. The technology reduces time for kernel shell separation from 24 hours per 60 kilogramme material to seven minutes per 60 kilogramme material.
It eliminates the use of water in the kernel separation process. Additionally, it eliminates the use of clay in the kernel shell separation process. The efficiency of separation ranges between 90 per cent and 95 per cent, depending on the cracking efficiency. It is suitable for separating palm kernel shells.
Two levels of beneficiaries are targeted. The first would be agro-industrial machinery fabricators who can be trained to fabricate the equipment for sale to palm kernel oil producers. Second, the numerous women and women’s groups scattered all over the country and nearby countries who are involved in palm kernel oil production.
- Best processing practices indicators for artisanal mills to produce high quality crude palm oil was released in 2012.
Attributes: Minimum boiling/sterilisation time of two hours 30 minutes. Keep fruits and ‘digested fruit matrix’ hot throughout digestion and pressing process. Ensure adequate clarification. Ensure adequate sieving to reduce dirt or insoluble content.
The technology is suitable for grain drying and food processing. It is used for production of crude palm oil that meets standards. It minimises postharvest storage of fruits prior to digestion to three to five days.
Source: Manual of Agricultural Technologies developed by
CSIR, MAG and MoFA
Page: 137-140
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
