Partnership in Agricultural Processing will Trigger Immediate Results- Otumfuo Woos Polish Investors
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged Polish investors to partner with Africa in agricultural processing, saying value addition is the fastest route to shared prosperity and jobs for the youth.
Speaking at the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów on May 29, 2026, he made agriculture the centrepiece of his pitch for Ghana-Poland cooperation.
“Agriculture must be central to our partnerships. Africa has vast land, but too often, we export raw materials and import finished goods. This must change.”
The Asantehene noted that Poland’s decades of expertise in food processing, agricultural machinery, packaging and quality standards align directly with Africa’s needs.
“These are areas that partnership will create immediate results.”
Otumfuo also challenged the perception of Africa as only a consumer market for European goods. Instead, he invited Polish firms to set up production on the continent.
“Let Polish investors not view Africa solely as a market for finished goods. Come and build factories, come and establish processing centres, come and partner with our farmers, come create value chains that make African farmers wealthy and Polish investors successful.”
The Asantehene highlighted opportunities in Ghana, and Asanteman in particular, where cash crops and food staples are abundant.
“In Ghana and particularly Asanteman, we have cocoa, vegetables, fruits, grains, poultry, and a growing appetite for industrial transformation,” he said.
He stressed that modern agriculture requires investment across the entire value chain, not just at the farm level.
“We need investment not only in production but in storage, processing and export. The future of agriculture is not only in hoes and cutlasses alone. It is science, irrigation, mechanisation, climate-smart technology and disciplined market access. Poland can be a partner in this transformation.”
The King expanded the call beyond agriculture, stressing that Africa must also industrialise to escape poverty.
“Partnership must also embrace industry. Africa cannot remain a supplier of raw materials forever. We cannot continue exporting minerals and importing mineral products. We cannot continue exporting timber and importing furniture. We cannot continue exporting cocoa and importing chocolate. This is not destiny but policy failure.”
His Majesty affirmed that joint ventures in mineral beneficiation, timber processing, and cocoa manufacturing would capture more value locally, create skilled jobs for Africa’s youth, and give Polish firms access to raw materials and new markets under AfCFTA.
He further argued that building processing plants and cold storage facilities in Ghana would reduce post-harvest losses, increase farmer incomes, and create manufacturing jobs that keep young people at home.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
