In the heart of Doboro, Accra, a milestone was reached in Ghana’s agribusiness sector with the official launch of Pure and Just Company’s factory. As a Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) Cohort 5 graduate, the company has grown into a key player in agribusiness, with a focus on sustainable practices and inclusive economic growth. The factory’s inauguration marks a pivotal step toward scaling their operations and creating lasting social impact.
Yvette Tetteh, Co-Founder of Pure and Just, shared the company’s growth story since its establishment in 2018, and her passion for economic inclusion is also evident in the company’s dedication to empowering local farmers and promoting women’s employment in the agribusiness value chain. With the crucial backing of investors and international partners such as USAID, the business has leveraged this support to maximize its potential in the agribusiness sector. USAID’s assistance in 2024 has played a crucial role in expanding their reach and capabilities.
Co-Founder Emmanuel Ampadu underscored three driving principles — vision, process, and people, that have driven Pure and Just Farms to a become a force in Ghana’s agricultural landscape. Emmanuel emphasized that the company’s vision has always been rooted in the desire to not only succeed as a business but to foster broad social and economic benefits which included creating jobs and providing smallholder farmers with the resources, markets, and support necessary to thrive. Central to this vision is the empowerment of women, in which he underscored the importance of enabling women to earn decent, sustainable incomes through their involvement in the value chain, from farming to processing.
Reflecting on the company’s journey, Emmanuel acknowledged the many obstacles Pure and Just faced in its early stages, especially the financial and operational challenges that come with scaling a business in a resource-constrained environment. However, it was precisely this process that fortified the company’s resolve to stay true to its mission. At the heart of Pure and Just’s success, according to Emmanuel, are the people who have made it all possible. He paid tribute to co-founder Yvette Tetteh, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision. He also highlighted the critical support of partners such as Kwame Williams of True Foundry, whose collaboration has been pivotal in overcoming technical and operational challenges.
At the event, Grace Lang, Acting Director of the Ghana Mission for USAID, highlighted the significant outcomes from their partnership with Pure and Just. Through funding from USAID, the company has not only met international standards but also gained a foothold in the European market by exporting 7 metric tons of dried fruit. Additionally, the installation of advanced drying technology has exponentially increased their production capacity from 1 metric ton per day to 6 metric tons resulting in an annual production volume of 240 metric tons. This growth in production volume has been accompanied by a significant rise in employment, with the workforce increasing more than threefold. The factory’s expansion has led to remarkable growth in employment, from 23 to 76 jobs, with the number of farmers supplying the business rising from 100 to 400. Additionally, the number of farmers supplying produce has grown substantially, with plans to expand their network to 1,500 farmers soon.
The launch of Pure and Just’s factory represents a significant contribution to the development of Ghana’s agribusiness landscape. With its focus on job creation, women empowerment, and sustainable growth, the company exemplifies the potential of agribusinesses to drive economic and social transformation. For more information about GCIC’s support for climate-smart businesses, visit www.ghanacic.org. Explore Pure and Just’s products and growth by visiting www.pureandjustfood.com.
