Ghanaian entrepreneurs are pioneering circular agriculture solutions to reduce post-harvest losses, supported by $1,000–$10,000 grants from the World Food Programme (WFP) and Mastercard Foundation.
The initiative follows an Agribusiness Innovation Competition at the University of Ghana, targeting the country’s annual $1.9 billion in food spoilage.
Selected startups focus on converting perishable surplus into marketable goods, including solar dryers for tomatoes, rice-based cosmetics, and smart storage systems. WFP Country Director Aurore Rusiga stated the projects aim to “build resilience and increase farmer incomes” while addressing infrastructure gaps causing 30–40% of Ghana’s harvest losses. Funding will be disbursed incrementally as ventures achieve performance milestones.
Steven Nhyira Odarteifio, WFP Food Systems Coordinator, emphasized transforming “spoilage into profitable goods” within the agriculture value chain. Beyond financing, participants gain mentorship and investor access to scale operations.
The push aligns with the Mahama administration’s economic recovery agenda in a sector employing 60% of Ghana’s workforce. With two-thirds of land dedicated to agriculture, experts note such innovations could significantly bolster food security under the IMF-backed reform program.
