Impact Food Hub (IFH), a prominent Ghanaian agribusiness organisation, is poised to revolutionise the food innovation, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship sectors, creating millions of opportunities for Ghanaians, and enhancing national food security.
Led by renowned food scientist Dr Mavis Owureku-Asare, IFH leverages extensive academic knowledge and practical application to bridge the gap between research and industry, supporting the growth of food processing companies and agribusinesses in Ghana and beyond.
Their exceptional team comprises leading experts, innovative researchers, and seasoned trainers, all possessing hands-on experience in various aspects of the food industry. This includes, but is not limited to food research, food product development, and food quality management systems.
Driving Innovation and Quality
In an interview, Dr Mavis Owureku-Asare, CEO of Impact Food Hub, emphasised the company’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the food sector. IFH offers technical support to new and established food companies and agribusinesses, enabling them to create globally competitive food brands.
“Our programs and support services are designed to meet the specific needs of companies. We develop novel and innovative food products and improve existing ones to exceed industry quality standards,” she explained. This includes everything from small-scale consultations to comprehensive business strategies, ensuring that no matter the scope of the project, IFH is equipped to guide our clients to success,” She asserted.
With over 20 years of experience in research and academia, Dr. Owureku-Asare has witnessed how even modest support can drive individuals to achieve great success. “Now that I am fully dedicated to SMEs and agribusinesses in the private sector, I see tremendous potential.
Our assistance is enabling made-in-Ghana products to thrive. We’ve collaborated with many SMEs, including Hendy Farms Ltd, Spring-forth Foods, Cool Scoop, Judi Foods, Whesoyy Company Limited, Mpampa cereal, Asutifi Processing Centre – Newmont Local Economic Diversification Project (Ahafo),” She shared.
Ghana’s Booming Food Industry
Ghana’s food industry is experiencing steady growth, driven by key players capitalising on the increasing consumer demand for ready-to-eat and convenience foods. The agribusiness and agriculture ecosystem are flourishing, with government initiatives and organizations like the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) and the MasterCard Foundation encouraging youth participation in agribusiness.
However, this growth is accompanied by ongoing challenges, including a lack of technical expertise and capacity to implement quality management systems, insufficient equipment, difficulties in sourcing raw materials, high packaging costs, and persistent environmental issues.
Dr Owureku-Asare noted that these challenges have the potential to frustrate entrepreneurs. IFH helps agribusinesses navigate these obstacles by offering tailored solutions and bridging the gap between research and industry with innovative products and services.
Comprehensive Support Services
“Whether you have an old recipe you want to improve and package for the market or a new idea, we can help,” said Dr Owureku-Asare. IFH assists in creating new food items, conducting market research, developing recipes, testing for quality and safety and launching products to market.
Food Processing and Packaging
IFH also advises on food processing and packaging, ensuring products meet quality standards. The company connects businesses with suppliers of quality packaging materials at competitive prices and offers technical assistance in setting up systems, procuring equipment and designing optimized factory spaces.
Food Branding and Marketing
Dr. Owureku-Asare highlighted the company’s strengths in food branding and marketing. “Although we are a local company, we have a global reach. We leverage partnerships both locally and internationally to promote Ghanaian products worldwide,” she said. One of their notable collaborations is with Mansa Market (www.mansamarket.com), an online shop used to market our clients’ products in the United States of America. “We are currently working with a company in Dubai in creating an online platform for marketing African products.”
Certifications and Compliance
At IFH, we assist clients in navigating the complex landscape of certification and registration by implementing robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Quality Management Systems (QMS). Our team works closely with clients to develop SOPs that streamline their processes, enabling our clients to achieve and maintain compliance, and facilitating smooth certification and registration processes.
This approach not only helps in meeting current regulatory requirements but also positions businesses for sustained success and growth. IFH supports clients in obtaining certifications from organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).
Research and Development (R&D)
R&D is a cornerstone of IFH’s approach, enhancing clients’ food products to meet the highest quality standards and market appeal. Their expertise extends to food branding and marketing, leveraging local and global partnerships to promote Ghanaian products internationally.
Mission and Vision
IFH’s mission is to nurture, support, and grow agribusinesses by leveraging its expertise in food research, product development, and quality management systems. Their vision is to be the leading choice for agribusinesses pursuing sustainable growth and excellence in agri-food systems.
Core Values
IFH’s core values include nurturing, innovation, and quality. They are committed to nurturing the food industry’s growth, providing guidance, resources and support to businesses, particularly startups.
Innovation is emphasized through practical solutions and technologies developed by local and international experts. Quality is a cornerstone of their mission, ensuring products meet regulatory standards and uphold the highest quality levels, building trust with clients and consumers.
Bottom line
Dr. Owureku-Asare is dedicated to empowering SMEs and agribusinesses in Ghana, helping them compete globally. “The products we make in Ghana, with attention to quality, can compete with any in the world,” she asserted. IFH’s impact is evident in its support for numerous SMEs. Impact Food Hub is set to transform Ghana’s food innovation and agribusiness sector, providing crucial support to local businesses, and promoting Ghanaian products worldwide.
