OMAHA, Neb. — May 22, 2026 — After years of agricultural exchange, relationship building and cross-border collaboration, leaders from the Republic of Ghana and Nebraska have formalized a major international partnership aimed at modernizing livestock systems, strengthening food security, expanding agribusiness infrastructure, and creating long-term economic opportunities between West Africa and the American Midwest.
The Ghana–Nebraska Cooperation Agreement was signed this week during the Ghana-Nebraska Spring Livestock Modernization Partnership Tour in Nebraska by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of the Republic of Ghana (MOFA), EcoSyntra LLC, the Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber (GNEBCham), and the Agrihouse Foundation.
The livestock modernization tour, organized by EcoSyntra and GNEBCham, brought a 23-member Ghanaian delegation to Nebraska led by Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku for meetings with livestock producers, agribusiness leaders, universities, researchers, and agricultural innovators across the state.
The agreement establishes a 10-year framework for cooperation focused on livestock modernization, dairy development, agricultural infrastructure, workforce training, academic exchange, climate-resilient agriculture, and agribusiness investment.
The partnership also identifies priority pilot initiatives, including modernization of the Tulaku Cattle Market, development of the proposed Amrahia Dairy Processing Center, livestock traceability systems, demonstration dairy farms, technical training hubs, and expanded feed and grazing infrastructure.
The partnership comes as countries worldwide face growing pressure to strengthen food security, modernize agricultural infrastructure, and build more resilient agricultural supply chains.
“This livestock modernization partnership program is more than an exchange of knowledge. It is a partnership between two regions determined to advance livestock development,” Opoku said. “Together, Ghana and Nebraska can demonstrate how
International cooperation strengthens food security, empowers agribusinesses, and builds resilient agricultural systems.”
Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture has identified livestock modernization as a national priority as the country works to reduce food imports, strengthen domestic production, and expand agricultural investment opportunities.
According to Opoku, Ghana currently imports nearly $100 million annually in live animals and frozen meat, while dairy imports meet approximately 95% of national demand.
“This reliance underscores the urgent need for bold interventions to strengthen local production,” Opoku said.
Nebraska was selected as a strategic partner because of its international leadership in livestock production, feed systems, animal genetics, veterinary science, water management, meat processing, and agricultural research.
“The expertise that exists across Nebraska’s agricultural economy is globally respected,” said former Nebraska State Sen. Ken Schilz, co-founder of EcoSyntra and GNEBCham. “This agreement creates a long-term implementation framework connecting Nebraska innovation, producers, researchers, and agribusiness leaders with one of Africa’s fastest-growing agricultural economies.”
Schilz said the agreement represents the culmination of years of foundational work between Ghanaian and Nebraska leaders, universities, producers, agribusiness organizations, and policymakers.
“What began as agricultural exchange has evolved into a serious long-term partnership focused on implementation, investment, infrastructure, workforce development, and measurable economic impact,” Schilz said.
The agreement establishes pathways for Nebraska-based experts, universities, researchers, and technical teams to collaborate directly with Ghanaian institutions and agricultural stakeholders through training programs, demonstration projects, research partnerships, and technical exchanges.
The partnership also aligns with Ghana’s broader Feed Ghana Programme, which focuses on improving livestock production, expanding feed access, strengthening veterinary systems, modernizing husbandry practices, and supporting dairy and meat processing infrastructure.
“As the gateway to Africa and home to the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Ghana provides access to a $3.4 trillion market,” Opoku said. “We invite Nebraska businesses to seize this opportunity.”
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, co-founder of GNEBCham and founder of Agrihouse Foundation, said the agreement reflects years of sustained collaboration between stakeholders in Ghana and Nebraska.
“This agreement reflects the depth of trust, shared purpose, and long-term commitment that has been built between our teams and institutions,” Akosa said. “We are creating a platform designed to deliver practical outcomes for farmers, agribusinesses, researchers, and future generations.”
The Ghana delegation’s visit to Nebraska is part of a broader effort to establish a long-term agricultural and economic partnership connecting Nebraska’s globally recognized expertise in livestock, water, feed, genetics, veterinary science, and agribusiness with Ghana’s rapidly growing agricultural economy and regional trade opportunities across West Africa.
About EcoSyntra
EcoSyntra is a global consulting and logistics firm focused on agriculture, international trade, government relations, environmental and water technologies, university partnerships, and cross-border implementation strategies. The company works with public and private sector partners to support agricultural modernization, infrastructure development, and international economic collaboration.
EcoSyntra was co-founded by former Nebraska State Sen. and Chief Executive Officer Ken Schilz, former Nebraska State Sen. and Chief Legal & Development Officer Justin Wayne, Chief Operating Officer Craig Cox, Chief Financial Officer Cheramie Nolan, and Chief Marketing & AI Officer Jess Goldoni. The company’s leadership brings experience across government relations, operations, communications, logistics, agricultural innovation, international trade, economic development, and cross-border implementation strategy.
About GNEBCham
The Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber (GNEBCham) is a non-profit agribusiness and trade organization dedicated to strengthening agricultural partnerships, investment opportunities, trade relations and strengthening Ag. Infrastructure development between Ghana and Nebraska. Established in 2023, the Chamber connects farmers, agribusinesses, investors, researchers and government institutions to promote sustainable agricultural development, improve agribusiness systems and drive international business growth.
Founded through the collaborative vision of former Nebraska State Senator Ken Schilz and Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, GNEBCham was created to build meaningful agribusiness connections between Ghana and Nebraska. The Chamber focuses on facilitating trade, investment, technology transfer, capacity building and business matchmaking opportunities across the agriculture value chain.
Over the years, GNEBCham has organized stakeholder engagements, trade missions, farm tours, business-to-business meetings and international agricultural events, including participation in the Husker Harvest Days in Nebraska and the Ghana-Nebraska Agri-Water Summit (GHASKA 2025). The Chamber has also facilitated trade agreements involving livestock, irrigation equipment, grains, seeds and poultry imports to support agricultural growth in Ghana.
With active secretariats in both Ghana and Nebraska, GNEBCham continues to create strategic partnerships that strengthen agribusiness development, improve market access and promote sustainable economic growth for businesses and stakeholders in both regions.
About Agrihouse Foundation
Agrihouse Foundation is a non-governmental agricultural social impact organization focused on transforming perceptions about agriculture through empowerment, innovation, capacity building, and intervention projects across the agricultural value chain. The foundation works with farmers, women, youth, students, agribusinesses, persons with disabilities, and farming associations to promote inclusive agricultural development and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana and beyond.
Over the years, Agrihouse Foundation has implemented impactful initiatives that support food security, agribusiness growth, youth development, and women empowerment. Some of its flagship programs include the Gathering of the Royals, One Household One Garden Initiative, AgriWoman Marketplace, Ghana Poultry Day, Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Exhibition and Conference, Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp (AGSTUD), Women in Food and Agric Leadership Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards, as well as the Boost to Bloom Project.
The foundation has made significant contributions to agriculture through training and market access interventions. It has trained over 10,000 women and persons with disabilities in backyard gardening to improve household food security and nutrition. More than 600,000 farmers and agribusinesses have been connected to market opportunities, while over 15,000 farmer-based organizations have benefited from tailored capacity-building programs. Agrihouse Foundation also established a 10-acre vegetable training hub in Tamale to support youth and women in agribusiness.
Through initiatives like AGSTUD, the foundation equips agricultural students and young agripreneurs with practical skills, mentorship, business development support, and startup resources to help them build successful agribusinesses. Its women-focused programs continue to strengthen women-led agribusinesses through leadership training, networking, market linkages, and recognition platforms such as the Gold in the Soil Awards.
Agrihouse Foundation also collaborates with several institutions and development partners including government agencies, regional coordinating councils, financial institutions, international organizations, agribusiness companies, and development partners to drive agricultural transformation and sustainable community development.
MEDIA CONTACT
Ken Schilz Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa
Co-Founder Founder / Co-Founder
EcoSyntra & GNEBCham Agrihouse Foundation & GNEBCham
(308) 289-0314 +233 244 623 012
[email protected] [email protected]
EcoSyntra.com agrihousefoundation.com
