Ghana Cassava Centre of Excellence and Techiman North District Assembly Sign MoU to Boost Cassava Industry
The Ghana Cassava Centre of Excellence (GCCE) and the Techiman North District Assembly (TNDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster the growth of cassava-based enterprises and contribute to broader socio-economic development in the country.
The MoU, which was signed at Tuobodom in the Bono East Region, outlines a series of responsibilities for both parties aimed at achieving the goals of the partnership.
Under the agreement, the GCCE, led by its Executive Director William Agyei-Manu, will focus on providing training and capacity building for cassava processors in the Techiman North area. This will include education on testing, inspection, metrology, and certification processes. The Centre will also develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Codes of Practice for key cassava products such as gari and cassava flour, helping processors meet international quality standards and access global markets.
Additionally, the GCCE will work on strengthening market linkages, educating processors within the Techiman North District, and establishing a consistent raw material supply chain. It will also conduct Cassava Multiplication demonstration farms to ensure a steady, year-round supply of fresh cassava. Moreover, a comprehensive Waste Management Plan will be developed, creating an additional revenue stream for the gari industry.
On the other hand, the TNDA has committed to supporting the formation of cassava producers and processors cooperatives in Techiman North. The Assembly will also collaborate with the private sector to drive investment in the cassava industry, including the establishment of a district cassava market hub between Akrofuom and Aworowa.
Once the GCCE develops the waste management model, the TNDA will assist in its implementation to ensure environmental sustainability while enhancing the value-added processing of cassava.
Both parties are committed to building the capacity of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the cassava value chain through education and training. This will increase awareness of safety practices and improve competitiveness, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Techiman North, as noted by the District Chief Executive (DCE) Mr. Everson Addo-Donkor, is the fifth-largest producer of cassava in Ghana and a leading hub for gari processing. Key gari-producing communities in the region include Tuobodom, Krobo, Aworowa, Akrofuom, Asueyi, Mesidan, and Ofuman.
