President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his administration, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), will establish a modern rice mill in Jadima, located in the Mamprugu Moagduri District of the North East Region.

The rice processing facility is expected to handle over 30,000 metric tonnes of locally grown rice every year and create more than 2,000 jobs, prioritising opportunities for women, children, and the youth.

Speaking at a durbar of Chiefs and People in Nalerigu as part of his Thank You Tour of the region, President Mahama described the project as a major step in transforming the region’s agricultural economy.

“This rice mill is not just a factory, it is a symbol of hope, a signal of change, and a tool for empowerment,” he stated. “We are moving from subsistence to sustainability, and from survival to prosperity.”

He emphasised that Ghana’s future in agriculture depends on commercial production and agro-industrial transformation, rather than small-scale farming alone.

“Our farmers work hard, but for too long, they’ve lacked the systems to add value to their produce. This facility will ensure their efforts are rewarded,” Mahama said.

“We will drastically reduce post-harvest losses, and more importantly, keep the profits here in Ghana.”

To ensure that the rice produced does not go to waste, the President revealed a strong partnership with the National Buffer Stock Company.

“I have instructed the Buffer Stock Company to purchase all the rice produced from this mill,” he announced. “We will pay for it and use it to feed our children in senior high schools across the country. This is how we create a complete local value chain, from the farmer’s field to the dining halls.”

President Mahama also touched on the project’s broader impact on the community.

“This will not only boost incomes for farmers but also improve livelihoods, reduce youth migration, and foster stability in this part of the country,” he said.