Accra, Dec. 6, GNA - Banku Mix, a flour mixture of pure maize and cassava, soon to be launched on the Ghanaian market, was on Thursday previewed by journalists and selected members of the public in Accra. The product manufactured under strict hygienic conditions by Elsa Foods Limited, a purely Ghanaian firm with financial support form the United States African Development Foundation (USADF), is being produced for Watanmal Group, owners of Gino brands of products and would be distributed by Primex Ghana.

The product is under the brand name; Gino Traditions. Mrs Elizabeth Afriyie Maldini, Managing Director, Elsa Foods, said her vision to curb post-harvest losses as well ensuring that farm produce were valued at fair prices led her into food processing. She said although a number of obstacles inhibited the Ghanaian entrepreneur from excelling, one was sure to succeed with a clear vision, patience and focus.

"When I won the award for innovation and export discovery at the first 'Buy Made-in-Ghana Goods' fair in 1994, I was challenged and realised there was no turning back for me," she said. Mrs Maldini urged Ghanaians to be wary of chemical additions to food products saying; "with the Gino Traditions, Banku mix soon to be launched on the Ghanaian market, I can bet, that there are no chemicals, or preservatives.

"It is purely cassava and maize flour dried under strict hygienic conditions so as to preserve the product as well as make it a transportable product wherever the Ghanaian would find himself or herself in order to preserve our culture through our cuisine," she said. Mr Nathaniel Fields, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Operations, USADF, said Ghana had tremendous opportunities for the processing of food in the range of cassava, plantain, tomatoes, pineapples and oranges.

He explained that the main problems with Ghanaian entrepreneurs were they desire to be involved in the agricultural chain supply, where they do the farming, processing and marketing. "A good business cannot and should not be run that way if profit is the ultimate goal," he said.

"We need to learn to hand over to others, the expertise in each of the segment of the chain, so that those who do processing best would be able to take over from the farmer and hand over when they are through to those with the expertise in marketing.

"Through that employment opportunities would be maximised, ensure good quality of product as well as a better competitive position in the market." Mr Fields said it was this aspect of Elsa Foods, specialising in the processing segment of the food production chain, which motivated USADF to form an alliance with it to help it compete on the global market.

Mr. Santosh Pillai, Regional Manager Watanmal Ghana Limited, said with operations in over 28 countries in Africa Watanmal Groups had attempted to provide inputs on global best practices for the manufacture of such products and a ready access to the consumer market through the GINO brand, which had instant recognition and significant credibility. Primex Ghana, known for its distribution reach in the country will be the exclusive distributor for this line. 6 Dec. 07