The inauguration ceremony of AMAATI’s newly constructed fonio processing factory in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana, took place on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The event was attended by several dignitaries, highlighting the factory's importance to the community and nation. Among the guests were the Paramount Chief of Nanton, Nanton Naa Alhaji Mahamadu Baba Bawah; the Chief of Nanton, Nanton Naa Mahamadu Bawahthe; AMAATI Board Chair Sakoya Naa Mahama Sintaro; USAID/Ghana’s Deputy Mission Director Grace Lang; and AMAATI Board Member Anna Samaké.
The event featured speeches from dignitaries, a cultural performance, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and fonio-based refreshments. It provided an opportunity for stakeholders and community members to celebrate together.
In its 2.5-year co-investment partnership with the Trade Hub, AMAATI has achieved significant milestones. The company completed West Africa's largest fonio mill with a daily capacity of 10 metric tons. With support from the Trade Hub and technical assistance (TA), AMAATI attracted over $2.34 million in additional investments and engaged 4,938 new female outgrowers. They also exceeded their job creation target by employing 270 workers.
As of mid-May 2024, AMAATI was still aiming to engage a total of 8,000 outgrowers by May 30, 2024. The company's mechanization plans included procuring U.S. farm equipment such as a specialized John Deere fonio combine harvester. Throughout the partnership period, AMAATI increased its international buyers from three to twenty-six and surpassed $2.8 million in sales.
USAID/Ghana’s Deputy Mission Director Grace Lang praised fonio as a "superfood" with significant economic and developmental benefits. “It is truly gratifying to be a part of this ceremony," she said. "Through AMAATI, we aim to collaborate for greater impact—improving livelihoods of women and youth farmers, boosting the economy in the north, and promoting climate-smart cultivation of fonio."
Lang further congratulated the founders Salma Abdulai and Chief Abdulai for their dedication: “We are honored to be part of the revival of this ‘forgotten orphan’ crop in Ghana... More than a business venture...this is the realization of a dream that took a great deal of compassion, courage, and perseverance.”
Fonio's role as an export crop is emerging despite its ancient origins. Many attendees at the inauguration were introduced to fonio through presentations about its cultivation processes.
Photo credits: USAID/Ghana
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