His Royal Majesty Ohempon Dr. Yeboah Asiamah, Atebubumanhene and President of the Atebubu Traditional Area, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Peter Boamah Otukunor, Director of the President’s Special Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Presidency Annex in Accraon February 20, 2026.
The visit was to commend the Directorate for its efforts in creating an enabling environment forprivate sector participation in agriculture, which remains the backbone of Ghana’s thriving economy. The engagement also focused on strategies to increase agricultural productivity, promote value addition, generate sustainable employment for Ghanaian youth, and reposition agriculture as a profitable and attractive enterprise.
During the discussions, HRM highlighted the pressing challenges confronting farmers inAtebubu and in the Bono East Region in general, particularly the recurring maize glut and its associated economic and livelihood challenges. Ohempon further explained that his vision for the development of Atebubu is anchored on seven strategic pillars, one of which is Agricultural Development and Land Stewardship. In line with this vision, he announced the release of fifteen acres of land to support the Government’s flagship program for the establishment of a Farmers Service Centre aimed at strengthening farmer productivity and investment.
He sought strategic partnership with the Directorate to unlock the vast untapped agricultural potential within Atebubu. He assured the Government and the private sector of the readiness of the Traditional Council to collaborate in advancing food crop production, tree crop plantation development, processing facilities, poultry farming, and grant-based funding support for farmers. He emphasized that land availability for such transformative initiatives would not be a constraint.
Response by the Director
Dr. Peter Boamah Otukunor expressed appreciation to Ohempon and his delegation for theirinitiative. He described Atebubu and surrounding districts, including Sene East and West, Pru East and West, Kintampo, and Ejura, as strategically positioned for the Youth in Agriculture Estate Project model. The model, he said, promotes youth participation in agriculture through a structured block farming concept with an output sharing formula that benefits landowners, farmers, and investors in a mutually rewarding framework, supported by guaranteed markets.
He further disclosed plans to establish a large scale ethanol factory that will utilize maize as a primary raw material. The project requires approximately five thousand hectares of land and will involve collaboration with farmers in Atebubu to develop mechanized maize farms capable of year round production. This initiative is expected to generate employment across the agricultural value chain and make agribusiness a practical and sustainable venture.
Dr. Otukunor also outlined the mandate of the Directorate, an entity under the Office of the President tasked with modernizing agriculture, enhancing food security, and driving industrialization. He mentioned the Feed Ghana Programme, Feed the Industry Initiative, and the School Farm Programme among efforts designed to increase local production, strengthen value chains, and create employment opportunities through public private partnerships..
Dr. Otukunor informed Ohempon that within the next month, a technical team will be dispatched to undertake preliminary assessments in support of the Government’s Grain Buffer Project and related initiatives in Atebubu.
Assurances and Commitment by Ohempon
HRM assured the Directorate and Government of the his commitment to making land readily available for the commencement of the proposed projects. He appealed for collaborative efforts to address the perennial maize glut by ensuring reliable produce uptake. He also noted the growing international demand for ethanol as an opportunity Ghana must strategically harness.
Dr. Otukunor’s team members present at the meeting were Dr. Selorm Ayeduvor, Technical Coordinator, Mr. Gilbert Mohammed, Administrator, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu, Project Coordinator, among others.
HRM Ohempon Dr. Yeboah Asiamah was accompanied by Mr. Gapson Kofi Raphael, NDC Bono East Regional Treasurer, and other key stakeholders.
The engagement marks a significant step toward positioning Atebubu as a strategic agricultural and agribusiness hub within Ghana’s broader national development agenda
