Accra: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Food Research Institute (CSIR-FRI) has officially unveiled its 2025 Food Fair in Accra, showcasing a suite of cutting-edge food technologies and sustainable innovations that align with Ghana’s agricultural policy priorities. The three-day event, held on the theme ‘Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,’ brought together researchers, students, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore science-led solutions for food security and agribusiness development.
According to Ghana News Agency, exhibits highlighted advancements in food safety systems, climate-resilient processing technologies, and value addition to indigenous crops; all aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing national food security. Dr. Charles Tortoe, Director of CSIR-FRI, emphasized the institute’s commitment to bridging the gap between research and commercialization. He noted that CSIR-FRI’s research focus was directly aligned with the Feed Ghana Programme and the National Agribusiness Policy, both launched in 2025 under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
He further explained that the focus commodities such as rice, maize, soybeans, vegetables, and livestock feed directly into the national agenda. ‘We’ve developed 32 training modules to support agribusiness and are actively empowering women entrepreneurs through targeted programmes,’ he added. Visitors engaged with product prototypes including fortified flours, cassava-based snacks, and shelf-stable convenience foods developed for both local consumption and export. The institute also showcased digital traceability tools to improve transparency in food supply chains.
Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, representing the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, commended CSIR-FRI for its contributions to national development. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to food security, citing key interventions such as the Feed Ghana Programme, the Palm Oil Industry Policy, and the Nkoko Nketekete Poultry Industry Revitalisation Programme.
The fair called for renewed efforts to integrate science and technology into Ghana’s food system modernization agenda. Prof. Paul Pinnock Bosu, Director-General of CSIR, urged a cultural shift in how Ghanaians treat food and stressed the role of scientific inquiry in food production. He also warned of the impact of climate change on food systems, emphasizing the importance of adapting to nature’s changes.
The event saw participation from several organizations including the Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, and KOPIA Ghana, as well as students from senior high schools. Sponsors delivered goodwill messages ahead of the launch of newly registered FRI food products, while awards were presented to winners of the quiz and cooking competitions. CSIR-FRI was widely commended for aligning its research with Ghana’s agricultural policy priorities, with calls for stronger collaboration among research institutions, private sector stakeholders, and government agencies.