Golden Exotics uses irrigation to lead Ghana's banana exports

Golden Exotics Limited operates a large-scale banana plantation in the Shai-Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region in Ghana. The company uses a year-round production system that draws water from the Volta River to overcome local rainfall shortages.

The company manages more than 2,000 hectares of land and employs about 4,000 direct workers. By using a network of canals and pumping infrastructure, the plantation maintains continuous cultivation, crop protection, and monitoring.

These operations have established the company as Ghana's leading exporter of bananas to international markets, specifically to Europe. Davis Korboe, President of the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters, says the country possesses the technical knowledge to replicate this model across all 16 regions. He notes that while the Ghana Irrigation Authority has the engineers to execute such projects, large-scale expansion requires substantial funding.

Replicating the model could help Ghana produce rice, maize, soya, and vegetables consistently throughout the year, reducing the country's reliance on imported food. Expanding this commercial farming model could create thousands of additional jobs in transportation, packaging, and processing. It also offers a path for Ghana to diversify its economy beyond gold, cocoa, and crude oil by increasing non-traditional exports.

Golden Exotics manages its large-scale production by incorporating soil management, waste management, and biodiversity conservation to balance production with environmental responsibility.