Guinness Ghana, GIZ launch sorghum project
The INSPIRE Sorghum project aims to boost sorghum production, strengthen climate resilience and expand economic opportunities for farmers across northern Ghana.
GHANA – Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC and German development agency GIZ have launched a new initiative aimed at increasing sorghum production in northern Ghana, supporting 30,000 farmers and creating more than 150 sustainable jobs across the agricultural value chain.
The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale on June 23 to officially launch the Innovations for Sustainable Sorghum Production, Inclusion, Resilience and Efficiency (INSPIRE Sorghum) project.
The initiative is expected to produce between 40,000 and 45,000 metric tonnes of sorghum annually. It will directly support 30,000 smallholder farmers, 20 seed producers and 60 aggregators, with a particular focus on women and youth participation in the sector.
Sorghum is a key raw material for Malta Guinness, the non-alcoholic beverage produced by Guinness Ghana Breweries. The crop accounts for approximately 70% of the drink’s composition and is primarily cultivated in northern Ghana.
Speaking during the launch, Wilhelm Hugo, Cluster Coordinator for GIZ’s NIED Cluster, said partnerships with the private sector remain a priority for the German government and described the agreement as an important milestone.
“This sorghum lies at the heart of our collaboration,” Hugo said.
He explained that the INSPIRE Sorghum project will focus on four key work packages, including the provision of certified seeds, modern farming equipment and practical training programmes designed to improve yields and grain quality.
According to Hugo, the project will provide training and technical support to 30,000 farmers and 40 aggregators while helping farming communities adapt to climate-related challenges.
He added that the initiative is designed to create employment opportunities for women and young people while strengthening the resilience of the sorghum value chain.
“It will also create opportunities for income-generating activities during the off-season, to ensure stable incomes throughout the year,” Hugo said.
Guinness Ghana Breweries Managing Director Frédéric Feraille said local sourcing has been a central part of the company’s strategy for more than a decade.
“We began our local raw material journey in 2012. We do this for a simple reason: when we source locally, we create jobs, build skills and provide Ghanaian farmers with a reliable market for their produce,” Feraille said.
He noted that the partnership would strengthen the company’s support for farmers by providing resources aimed at improving productivity and income stability.
Feraille added that the initiative aligns with Ghana’s Feed Ghana agenda and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to local sourcing.
“As Guinness Ghana enters a new chapter under the Castel Group, our commitment to Ghana’s farmers and to local sourcing is stronger than ever,” he said.
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