President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish a maize processing plant in the Sissala area of the Upper West Region as part of measures to tackle the recurring glut faced by maize farmers.
The proposed facility is expected to create a reliable market for farmers by purchasing surplus maize and processing it for consumption locally and for export.
President Mahama made the announcement on Saturday, September 12, 2026, during a citizens’ engagement at the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies in the Upper West Region.
The engagement formed part of his ongoing Resetting Ghana Tour.
According to the President, establishing a processing facility in the maize-producing area would ensure that increased production translates into economic opportunities for farmers rather than leaving them with unsold produce.
“We are going to set up a maize processing plant in the Sissala area. The plant will not only buy the maize, but it will also process the maize for the market and for export, and so I believe that this glut will become a thing of the past,” he said.
Beyond the processing plant, President Mahama said the government would strengthen the capacity of the National Food Buffer Stock Company to purchase excess maize from farmers.
He explained that the company’s ability to absorb surplus production had been constrained by inadequate storage facilities.
To address the challenge, he said the government was also working to construct silos at the company’s storage centres.
“Aside from that, we are increasing the amount of money that we are giving to Buffer Stock to off-take the excess maize,” he said.
The measures, President Mahama indicated, are intended to improve the government’s capacity to absorb surplus maize while creating additional avenues for processing and marketing the crop.
