President Mahama reveals Sentuo fertiliser plant plan

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that Sentuo Group Executive Chairman, Xu Ningquan, has told him of plans to establish a fertiliser production plant in Ghana to supply local farmers.

President Mahama made the disclosure during the ceremonial sod-cutting for Sentuo Airport Garden City in Accra on September 15, 2026, while commending the company’s continued investment in Ghana.

“He’s also whispered to me he’s going to build a fertilizer production plant here in Ghana to produce fertilizer for our farmers,” President Mahama said.

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The President did not provide details on the proposed plant’s location, production capacity, investment cost, financing arrangements or construction timeline.

The proposed investment comes amid Ghana’s reliance on imported fertiliser. World Bank WITS data show that Ghana imported about US$296.2 million worth of fertiliser in 2024.

A local production facility could reduce the country’s exposure to international supply disruptions and exchange-rate fluctuations, depending on the share of production undertaken locally and the cost of imported raw materials, equipment and financing.

The development could also have implications for government’s agricultural support programmes. The Ministry of Finance reported in June 2026 that GH¢515.3 million had been allocated for fertilisers and certified seeds.

If locally produced fertiliser is competitively priced, lower procurement costs could allow the government to support more farmers with the same budget.

For farmers, reliable access to suitable fertiliser is important for crop production. However, the impact of improved fertiliser availability would also depend on factors such as seed quality, water supply, soil conditions and farming practices.

A fertiliser plant could also create opportunities in engineering, maintenance, packaging and distribution, while providing training and employment for Ghanaian workers.

The facility could potentially serve markets in other West African countries, creating an additional source of export revenue and helping spread production costs across a wider market.

The proposed investment therefore adds fertiliser manufacturing to the broader discussion around increasing private-sector investment in Ghana’s productive capacity and reducing reliance on imported inputs.

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However, the economic benefits will depend on the scale of the proposed facility, its production costs, access to raw materials and energy, financing arrangements, and the competitiveness of its products.

DR/MA

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