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In a significant boost to Ghana’s agricultural sector, Newmont’s Asutifi Processing and Services Centre (APSC) has transformed into a key player, supporting over 1,000 farmers in the Ahafo Region. Recognized as the “food basket of Ghana,” the Ahafo Region has been a vital contributor to the nation’s economy and food security.
Originally established in 2013 in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation, the APSC aimed to explore processing and marketing opportunities for agricultural produce in the region. The initiative was born out of a necessity to address challenges faced by commercial agriculture, such as limited market access and insufficient value-addition avenues for perishable crops.
Newmont, operating mines in both the Ahafo and Eastern Regions, underwent extensive engagements with local farmers and assessments of the agriculture value chain. The APSC, a key project under Newmont’s Local Economic Diversification (LED) initiative, aligns with the company’s social performance strategy to enhance opportunities for the local community, particularly focusing on youth and women.
While the facility encountered challenges in its initial phase, including limited raw materials and market access, Newmont conducted feasibility studies in 2018. The outcome justified a substantial investment to scale up the project, resulting in the completion of the expanded facility in December 2023. The $4 million APSC facility is expected to play a crucial role in reducing post-harvest losses and improving food security in the Asutifi area.
Through an out-grower scheme, over 80 farmer-based organizations and approximately 1,000 chilli pepper and ginger farmers now benefit from the APSC’s increased capacity and scope. This guarantees them a more stable and higher income, contributing to the sustainability of agriculture in the region.
Newmont’s commitment to sustainable mining in Ghana is evident through its operational presence, with the Ahafo North project currently under construction. As one of Ghana’s largest taxpayers, the company had contributed GHS 2.857 Billion in fiscal payments to the Government of Ghana by September 2023. Additionally, Newmont’s development foundations in Ahafo and Akyem continue to support host community development.
During the project launch, David Thornton, the Managing Director for Newmont’s Africa business unit, emphasized the company’s dedication to fostering local economic growth, promoting sustainable development, and supporting agriculture value chains in the Ahafo Region, renowned as the breadbasket of Ghana. John Duti, the team leader of Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, expressed the German Development Cooperation’s satisfaction with the partnership, foreseeing a significant positive impact on farmers and addressing key challenges in the agriculture sector, notably post-harvest losses.
