Cassava Processing Into Gari Facilities in Ghana

As part of its commitment to strengthening cooperatives and promoting sustainable development in rural communities, the SOCODEVI TogetHER Project is rolling out the Cassava Processing Income-Generating Activity (IGA) initiative. This intervention aims to establish modern cassava processing facilities managed and operated by women and youth cooperative members in selected communities. The initiative is designed to provide an alternative livelihood and generate additional income to support the long-term sustainability of the cooperatives.

The cassava processing facility is designed to support efficient and hygienic production of gari, with a layout that ensures smooth workflow from peeling to packaging. It prioritizes food safety, adequate ventilation, and proper waste and water management to maintain high-quality standards. This construction represents a key step in the cooperative's efforts to add value to cassava, boost incomes, and promote sustainable agribusiness practices that strengthen local economies and improve community livelihoods. 

The project involves the construction of three cassava processing facilities designed to transform raw cassava into gari and other value-added products. The activities include:

  • Construction of a 12 m × 8 m single-story processing building at each cooperative site.
  • Installation of wet and dry processing areas, storage/office units, waste management systems (soak-away pits), and a mechanized borehole with 500-gallon water storage.
  • Procurement and installation of cassava-processing equipment (graters, hydraulic pressers, fryers, and milling units).
  • Implementation of training programs for cooperative members on food safety, hygiene, and facility maintenance.

A cement block and metal-frame building divided into three sections:

  1. Wet Processing Area (peeling, washing, grating, fermentation, and pressing).
  2. Dry Processing Area (sifting, roasting, packaging).
  3. Storage/Office Area for finished products.

A separate washroom block (male and female) with handwashing station.
Mechanized borehole and water supply network.

Drainage and soak-away system to safely manage wastewater.

Waste-to-compost management plan for cassava peels and organic waste.

The project is located in rural cocoa-farming communities within the Ashanti Region of Ghana, characterized by:

  • Semi-equatorial climate with bimodal rainfall (April–July and September–November).
  • Average annual rainfall between 1,200 mm and 1,800 mm.
  • Temperatures ranging between 22 °C and 32 °C.
  • Dominant land use: smallholder cocoa and food crop farming.
  • Soil type: loamy and Forest Ochrosols, suitable for cassava cultivation.
  • The lands were previously cleared or under light seasonal farming, with no existing permanent structures and low ecological sensitivity.

The facilities are located on legally acquired cooperative-owned lands that align with local zoning and agricultural development plans. Construction and operations will follow Ghana's environmental regulations and the Ghana Building Code (GS 1207:2018).

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Latest update

[November 17th, 2025] – The public comment period on the project is closed. Global Affairs Canada is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects..

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
1 Public Notice - Cassava Processing into Gari Facilities – Public Comments Invited - October 17, 2025

Contacts

YOO Environment Specialists
Global Affairs Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1J1
Email: CommentsIAARegistry-CommentairesRegistreLEI@international.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Adansi North and Asokwa Cooperative (Outside Canada)
    • Amansie West Women’s Cooperative Union – Cassava Processing Facility (Outside Canada)
    • STADAK Cooperative Union – Cassava Processing Facility 2 (Outside Canada)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Agriculture
    • Waste Management

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2025-10-17

  • Proponent

    SOCODEVI

  • Authorities

    • Global Affairs Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project outside of Canada

  • Reference Number

    89947
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