Correspondence from Volta Region

The President of the Volta House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, has disclosed that plans are underway for the biggest Chinese tilapia processing company, Maoming Yuantian Food Co. Ltd., to establish a fish processing facility in the Volta Region to boost local aquaculture, create jobs and strengthen the region’s seafood industry.

He made the disclosure at the House’s recent general meeting in Ho, following an investment mission to China, where the delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company.

The investment mission, comprising about 7 members of the VHC, was undertaken at the invitation of Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, with support from embassy officials.

Maoming Yuantian Food Co. Ltd., based in Shigu Town, Gaozhou City, Maoming, Guangdong Province, China, is a major aquatic products processing enterprise with extensive international operations.

Togbe said that, according to available statistics, 7 out of 10 Tilapia eaten in China are processed by the company, and they export to about 70 countries around the world.

He added that the company expressed interest in establishing a similar facility in the Volta Region, and discussions are ongoing to advance the project with a focus on processing tilapia and other aquatic products, including oysters, lobsters and shrimps.

“Of particular interest to us is the processing of fish and oysters, lobsters and shrimps from a company that is a big enterprise,” he said.

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He indicated that some of the company’s technical experts are expected to visit the region by the end of 2026 or early 2027 to assess the proposed investment site and determine the requirements for the project.

The traditional leader therefore urged Chiefs in the region to get families and individuals with large parcels of land to consider making suitable land available to support the proposed venture.

He said land availability and local collaboration would be critical to the successful establishment of the processing company.

Togbe Tepre Hodo IV described the visit as successful, noting that the delegation had secured MoUs with investors in several sectors, including aquatic products processing, waste management and information and communication technology.

He said the tilapia processing venture is among the most promising outcomes of the trip, with the Chinese company also prepared to train Ghanaians living to acquire tilapia processing skills.

He noted that, though the region doesn't have expertise yet, the primary plan is to incorporate a company which will operate the venture.

The Volta House of Chiefs President said the delegation would continue engaging the investors and work towards establishing the local company to facilitate the project.

He expressed optimism that the proposed investment would create economic opportunities and contribute to the development of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

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