Nutrifoods Ghana Limited expands facilities

Nutrifoods Ghana Limited is to employ more than 150 Ghanaians, in addition to its  existing 600 employees.

This follows the inauguration of a new facility to expand its production line and distribution networks across the West African sub-region.

The cost of the expansion work was $8.25 million and it will see an upgrade of the facility with modern production equipment and technology.

Mr Alan Kyerematen (right) and Dr Koh Poh Koon sharing thoughts

The company produces King Cracker and Park Up biscuits. It is a subsidiary of Olam Ghana, jointly owned by Olam International in Singapore, with 75 per cent shares, and Sanyo Foods of Japan, with 25 per cent equity. 

Some biscuits going through the production process at the factory

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, and the Minister of Trade and Industry under the Ministry of National Development of Singapore, Dr Koh Poh Koon, with the assistance of some traditional leaders, unveiled a plaque to signify the opening of the new production line on the Tema Motorway in the Greater Accra Region.

Some visitors being briefed on the production processes during a tour of the factory

Entrepreneurship 

In his address, Mr Kyerematen said the story of Olam could be situated within the context of entrepreneurship in Ghana, noting that the company started operating around 1994 but had grown in leaps and bounds.

Nii Bortey Klan I, Klagon Mantse, and his traditional priests being ushered out of the premises with a dance after the inauguration

He applauded the company for remaining competitive on the Ghanaian market over the years, in spite of the challenges, adding that “that is what is expected of businesses”.

Mr Alan Kyerematen speaking at the function

“As a government, our agenda is predicated on job creation through public/private partnerships (PPPs). I wish to reiterate that the one district, one factory (ODOF) policy is wholly private sector driven, with the assistance of the government,” he said.

Mr Kyerematen indicated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s industrial transformation agenda was anchored on the principles of the provision of a stimulus package for existing businesses and the decentralisation of industrial development.

Mr Alan Kyerematen (left), the Minister of Trade, and Dr Koh Poh Koon, the Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore, unveiling a plaque to inaugurate the project

Regulatory framework 

He added that the government would put in place the necessary regulatory frameworks which would enhance the growth and development of local businesses.

He emphasised Ghana’s continued commitment to do business with Singapore and other countries.

Mr Amit Agrawal (2nd right), Country Head of Olam, making a presentation to representatives of the Klagon TMA Basic School. Also in the picture is Mr Chitwan Singh (right), Business Head at Nutrifoods Biscuits

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Olam Africa and the Middle East, Mr V. Srivathsan, said as a company, what Olam needed was more than financial assistance. 

“Olam, like all private companies, needs more than financial support — an enabling environment to make industries to thrive,” he added.

The Nutrifoods building

Presentation to schools

As part of the inauguration, the company donated over 6,000 packs of fortified Milky Magic biscuits to the Klagon TMA Basic School, which is within its catchment area.

The Senior Vice-President and Country Head of Olam Ghana, Mr Amit Agrawal, said the company would supply the school with biscuits for the whole year as part of its corporate social responsibility.

A worker packaging some of the biscuits after the baking process

Dr Koon, for his part, said Ghana and Singapore had a lot of things in common in the areas of politics and trade.

Mr Carlos Ahenkorah (right), Deputy Minister of Trade and MP for Tema West, with Mr Parker-Allotey, Ghana's Ambassador to Singapore, at the function

According to him, what was more important to both countries was their readiness to learn and adopt from each other and know how to situate any new development within the context of the two countries.