It also underscored government’s interest in promoting sustainable agribusiness and empowering rural women.

The Nuts and Growth Ltd is a factory that processes shea nuts into cosmetics as well as raw shea butter.

Dr Otokunor, speaking after touring the facility, said “Nuts for Growth Ltd is setting the pace in value addition and women’s entrepreneurship. With the right investment, I see the potential for the factory to operate 24 hours and create over 12,000 jobs. This is the kind of local industry Ghana needs to build inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth.”

He was happy about the factory’s resilience and contribution to the local economy and encouraged its Management to take advantage of the government’s policies and programmes to further enhance its operations.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable development in the country’s agribusiness sector.

Madam Dora Towiseh, Chief Executive Officer, Nuts for Growth Ltd said the factory had created over 300 jobs and was actively working with more than 81,000 women and youth.

She appealed for the government’s support in the form of working capital and protective policies to ensure raw materials remained within the country for local value addition.

She said “We are grateful for the recognition from the Office of the President. Our potential to scale up is enormous but we need the government’s support to stabilise raw materials supply and safeguard our supply chains.”