WISHH’s work with Yedent-Agro in Ghana helped the longtime partner secure a role with MasterCard Foundation’s HAPPY Broiler Project. This project will help strengthen the country’s poultry industry.

The West African country of Ghana is a prime example of how ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program pairs public and private sectors with resources from the soy checkoff, USDA, and others to grow trade for U.S. soy. While WISHH works in multiple animal feed and food sectors in the country, its work in the poultry industry has helped a longtime strategic partner secure a leading role with the Mastercard Foundation's Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Broiler Project.  

The HAPPY Broiler Project aims to create 326,000-plus agricultural jobs in Ghana by strengthening the country’s poultry industry. Agri-Impact, which spearheads implementation of the project, noticed the work of WISHH strategic partner Yedent-Agro Group to address food security issues in Ghana; that work made Yedent a natural fit for HAPPY from the project’s very beginning. 

“What inspired me is the challenge of malnutrition in Ghana and what role I can play to solve that problem,” says Samuel Kwame Ntim-Adu, the CEO of Yedent-Agro Group of Companies, Ltd. “Agri-Impact noticed I’ve been able to create a food business that is selling to organizations like the United Nation’s World Food Programme and have even expanded into feed production.”   

Yedent’s position as a key agricultural business in Ghana means it has connections to private businesses in the poultry and egg sector that can use the company’s expertise to their benefit— particularly when it comes to increasing protein content from poultry consumption. Ntim-Adu notes that Yedent’s model of best practices in processing and production in these sectors make it an invaluable partner that will allow other businesses to enhance downstream markets and align with the quality standards demanded by larger international corporations like KFC. This helps to address malnutrition, create jobs, and could even increase demand for U.S. soy for food and feed in Ghana.  

Ntim-Adu credits WISHH for its support and the expertise he’s gained over the years to help grow his business. Yedent’s relationship with WISHH dates back to 2016 when Ntim-Adu began participating in various trainings that provided technical support and best practices for food and feed businesses. These trainings are why he insisted on bringing WISHH along for the HAPPY Broiler Project. For its part, WISHH is pleased to support Yedent’s participation and is even offering its technical adviser to assist the project’s businesses.  

Juliana Abena Asante-Dartey, deputy CEO of Agri-Impact, acknowledges WISHH's invaluable work in Ghana. Earlier this year, she participated in a WISHH-led trade team focused on poultry production.  

“What WISHH has shown me has been an eye opener,” notes Asante-Dartey. “From training on new technology, efficiency in production and management, to the science behind the quality of flocks, what WISHH has shown us will be crucial to the development of the value chain in Ghana.” 

Nitm-Adu feels his latest endeavor is a perfect progression for employing what he has learned and continuing to reach his goals. “In many ways, this [HAPPY] project is a natural continuation of what WISHH started many years ago,” he says. “Through USDA and checkoff-funded projects, it has already supported us to create employment opportunities and bring good quality food to the poultry market.” 

Checkoff programs from qualified state checkoff boards and the United Soybean Board support WISHH’s strategy to build new markets for U.S. Soy through the improvement of health, nutrition, and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.