Thomas Abanga (CEO of Abanga Farms & Food Systems), Selma Ashipala Musavyi (Namibia High Commissioner to Ghana), Dr. Benjamin Sasu (Head of Food Safety), Mrs. Chariti Gbadawo (Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration) ), Prof Bani (Board Chairman, Abanga Farms and Food Systems) and Clarence Zamuee (MEATCO Rep)

At a ceremony on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at the Tema Harbour, the Chief Executive Officer of Abanga Farms & Food Systems, Mr. Thomas Abanga hailed the partnership as forward-looking with the expectation that the benefits that would accrue to both Ghana and Namibia would be immense and long-term.

“It is the private sector that can propel the economic development of Africa… it is time for the private sector to step up” – Mr Thomas Abanga said.  The partnership, he concluded, will strengthen the agriculture sector of both countries, particularly the livestock sub-sector whose true potential remains untapped in Ghana.

Africans would do well to consume what the continent produces and stop depending on goods and products from outside the continent. The goal of the partnership between Meatco and Abanga Farms & Food Systems is to expand beyond Ghana and Namibia and move into other African markets.

African countries have to increase their inter-trade within the continent, still reeling from the impact of Covid-19 and the current Russia-Ukraine war.

Namibia is a major producer and exporter of beef and beef products like corned beef. It meets the rigorous requirements of Europe and America and has the certification to operate in the very demanding food industries of those markets. Namibian meat is also, crucially, halal compliant.

The Abanga Farms & Food Systems and Meatco partnership may be the kind of initiative that would push the door to open wider for others to move in.

The Wednesday ceremony attracted officials from line ministries, bankers, restauranteurs, and the public.