GHANA – Gallina Blanca (GB) Foods Africa, a subsidiary of the Spanish consumer goods group Agrolimen SA, has commissioned a new US$5 million tomato production line in its Tema factory, Ghana, to boost its product offering in the country.

GB Foods Africa owns leading brands such as Jumbo (bouillon), Gino and Pomo (tomato paste), and Jago (milk powder and mayonnaise), as well as Bama (mayonnaise) distribution rights for Africa.

In addition to the tomato processing line, the new facility also has a curry processing line. We are determined to stimulate investment to increase our presence in Ghana,” said David Kofi Afflu, Managing Director of GB Foods Ghana Branch.

In strengthening its supply of raw materials for maximum production rate, GB Foods will, in partnership with the Ghanaian Ministries of Food and Agriculture and Trade and Industry, build two industrial farms on 14,000 acres of land.

Arthur Carrula, president of Agrolimen SA noted that once this new project is completed, GB Foods will have invested more than US$70 million and the number of jobs created to more than 5,000 in Ghana.

The partnership is aimed at increasing the local supply of tomatoes to reduce the company’s reliance on imports.

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who commissioned the project, pledged to continue unleashing the innovative, entrepreneurial instincts of the Ghanaian private sector to drive rapid growth and create jobs.

President Akufo-Addo maintained that it is therefore, for this reason, that “the government leadership is a natural cheerleader for the private sector, and it is my sincere wish that GB Foods, and, indeed, the Ghanaian private sector will continue to invest further in Ghana.

“Cascading investments in our economy is the most effective way to expand and strengthen it to create the many jobs our young people so ardently want. It will happen, and soon.”

Whilst acknowledging the limited ability of the government to create jobs on its own, President Akufo-Addo said “it is for this reason that, when we assumed office in 2017, my government put in place measures to reduce the cost of doing business and improve the business environment.”

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