Speaking on Newsfile a day after President John Dramani Mahama delivered his 2026 State of the Nation Address, the Effutu MP questioned the government’s priorities and the visibility of the Agriculture Minister.

“If government is that serious, there would have been sufficient investment in agriculture — but they are fixated on the gold board thing, abandoning other areas of the economy,” he said.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the administration has devoted much of its attention to the Ghana Gold Board, at the expense of farming, food production and value addition.

His comments come at a time when the government is defending its investment in the agricultural sector. In the 2026 budget, GH¢2.2 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, alongside GH¢1.7 billion for roads, processing zones and value chains.

Additional funding includes GH¢245 million for food security and agro-industrial programmes, GH¢828 million for agricultural enclave roads, and GH¢690 million for Farmer Service Centres.

Despite these figures, the Minority Leader insisted that farmers and agribusinesses have yet to feel the impact of the spending on the ground.

He also renewed his criticism of the cancellation of the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, which was introduced to promote decentralised industrialisation and job creation.

In July 2025, Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare told Parliament that the 1D1F programme had been scrapped, with the government shifting focus to agro-processing parks under the 24-hour economy policy.

However, Afenyo-Markin argued that more than a year later, no clear alternative framework has been presented.

“The Trade Minister is yet to outline a concrete replacement strategy,” he said, calling on the government to explain what incentives are being offered to attract private sector investment.

He noted that without a well-defined industrial policy, efforts to link agriculture to manufacturing and job creation could be undermined.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Otokunor stated that food supplies are currently stable and prices have largely been controlled due to targeted investments in farming.

“In just one year, we have managed to transform the agricultural sector. Food supplies are now available, but since food crops are seasonal, it is essential to implement measures to avoid shortages. Currently, food prices are stable, and all the food in the markets was harvested in 2025. When investment is directed toward farming, the results become evident. The government’s performance will determine whether production will increase or decline,” he said.

Mr. Otokunor explained that one of the longstanding challenges in the sector has been the affordability and quality of farm inputs, many of which are imported.

However, he argued that the stabilisation of the cedi has reduced input costs and, by extension, the overall cost of production.

According to him, the improvements being witnessed are a direct result of deliberate government investment and effective agricultural policies.

“One major challenge we face is the affordability and quality of agricultural inputs. Any government that understands agribusiness can effectively manage the foreign exchange market, as most of our input supplies are imported. We have also worked to stabilise the currency, which has reduced the cost of inputs, leading to lower production costs.

“The positive outcomes we are witnessing are a direct result of government investment in the agricultural sector. Effective agricultural policy is crucial, and the results are becoming apparent quickly,” he stated.

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Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, he explained that the theme for this year’s National Farmers’ Day was chosen to reflect a broader national vision.

“Well, the theme was selected because, basically, we launched the Feed Ghana Programme this April in Techiman. The Programme encompasses everything that we want to do as a country in terms of agriculture,” he said.

He emphasized that the priority is simple but urgent: “The most important thing is feeding ourselves, feeding the industry, and then exporting the rest.”

According to him, if Ghana seeks stronger gains from the sector, industry must be placed at the centre of the agenda.

“But feeding the industry is also very critical, because we need to add value to whatever it is that we produce.”

Mr. Dumelo noted that value addition is not only about generating profit but also about reducing losses for farmers.

“Adding value to whatever we produce would reduce post-harvest losses, which we are trying very hard to tackle,” he stated.

He linked this direction to recent developments in the market.

“Recently, with the glut issue, I think there was just an abundance of food for some reason.” He said the situation should push the country to process more and waste less.

The Deputy Minister believes the path is set and the momentum is positive.

“And so now the main focus is processing, feeding the industry, and then exporting the rest. And I think everything is on course.”

John Dumelo stressed that the Feed Ghana Programme represents a bold shift aimed at turning raw produce into value, protecting farmers from losses, and ensuring the sector feeds local industries before serving export markets.

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The annual awards ceremony was organised by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Ghana Chapter a non-governmental organization with support from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and CSIR Ghana awarded journalists for their outstanding contributions to credible science communication and for helping bridge the knowledge gap between scientists and the public.

This year’s OMAs had the theme “Credible Science Reporting, a Tool for Science-Led Economic Development in Ghana” held in Accra brought together scientists, policymakers, journalists, and development partners to highlight the critical role of the media in shaping public understanding of agricultural biotechnology.

OFAB Ghana Coordinator, Dr. Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw in a speech read on his behalf explained that despite the transformative potential of agricultural biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in addressing food security, climate change, and other agricultural challenges, the technology remains misunderstood in many parts of the world, including Ghana.

“Often, misinformation paints it as a “monster technology,” creating unnecessary fear and skepticism” he added.

According to him, it is crucial for policymakers to have access to accurate scientific information; this is where the media plays a pivotal role, acting as a bridge between scientists, policymakers, and the public to promote informed decision-making and adoption of the technology.

“PBR Cowpea in Ghana has received all necessary approvals and is in commercial production, which creates the right opportunity for journalists to use evidence-based reporting to bridge the knowledge gap and demystify agricultural biotechnology.

“Your efforts have helped demystify this science, promoting balanced and credible narratives in the public domain.

“We hope their achievements inspire others, especially younger journalists, to join this noble cause in the coming years; The guidelines are straightforward, and this could be your stepping stone to a distinguished career in science journalism” he said.

Former Director of the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Professor Kenneth Ellis Danso, said the awards are helping to inspire a new wave of science-focused journalism in the country.

He noted that credible reporting is essential as the nation moves toward the commercial adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops, such as the BT cowpea, developed by the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI).

“The quality of media stories has greatly improved. Journalists are explaining biotechnology clearly and helping the public see the benefits rather than the fears. That’s how we build trust, the BT cowpea is already helping farmers, especially in Northern Ghana, to increase productivity and reduce losses caused by pests” he said.

Public Affairs Officer of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Zadok Kwame Gyesi, said science journalism plays a key role in building public trust and shaping national conversations on food security and innovation.

“Science journalism helps people understand complex ideas in a simple way. That’s why scientists must see journalists as partners, not outsiders,” he said.

He explained that misinformation has slowed the acceptance of biotechnology in the country, stressing that only factual and balanced reporting can correct public fears. “A single misleading headline can create panic and destroy years of scientific progress,” he warned.

He urged scientists to make data and information more accessible and to engage with journalists regularly. 

He also called on journalists to verify their information carefully and to seek expert opinions when reporting on sensitive topics like GM crops, food safety, and agricultural innovation.

The awardees, Mr. Noah Nash Hoenyefia of GHOne TV and Mr. Solomon Gumah of Ghana News Agency (GNA), each received a plaque of honour, a cash prize of GH₵ 3,000 and attractive hampers for their achievements.

The awardees described the OMAs as huge encouragement for agricultural reporters. They thanked OFAB for creating a platform to recognise the hard work of science reporters and pledged to continue producing stories that inform and educate.

Source: Nana Yaw Reuben

As food demand rises, soil fertility declines and climate threats continue to affect smallholder farmers in Ghana and across the continent.

The new collaboration seeks to advance research into sustainable farming practices that would protect the environment and increase agricultural productivity.

Available data suggests that the agriculture sector contributes about 11% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. This is attributable to the poor farming practices including overutilization of fertilizers and the slushing and burning of farms.

These environmental challenges are prompting calls for regenerative agriculture – holistic farming approach focusing on soil health restoration, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem improvement while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

The first European Joint Program (EJP) C-arouNd project workshop aims to investigate how short and long-term agricultural management practices affect soil organic matter persistence in the soil profile.

The project seeks to contribute to inclusion of the effects in national inventories to inform policy to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global change.

Convener of the EJP C-arouNd project, Dr. Caleb Ocansey, explained that regenerative agriculture introduces practices that help farmers store more carbon in the soil while improving crop performance.

“We are looking at local nature-based solutions that can help retain more carbon in the soil,” he said. “When farmers keep biomass on the land, they filter the environment and store carbon. The extra things farmers are doing for the environment must benefit them.”

Dr. Ocansey added that financial rewards through carbon credits could provide an additional income streams as he emphasised the need for government support in developing a traceable and authentic system to measure carbon storage.

“Farmers must be able to monetize these environmental services, and that requires a transparent system,” he noted.

He further stressed the importance of delivering farm inputs on time and providing real-time advisory tools that farmers can access in local languages.

Dr. Abad Chabbi, Co-principal Investigator, revealed that the European Joint Programme aims to consolidate global soil data, particularly from regions where information is limited.

“We need to bring all of this data together to run accurate models and reduce uncertainty,” he explained. “The climate change crisis does not affect one country alone, so we must learn from each other. The data collected through the programme remains open-access because there is no economic business behind this the law prohibits us from selling it.”

Addressing financing concerns for climate action, Dr. Hupenyu Allan Mupambwa of the University of Namibia underscored the importance of investing in climate adaptation to benefit smallholder farmers.

“The climate is definitely changing, and smallholder farmers are the most affected because they are not able to adapt,” he said. “Research gives us information that helps farmers survive under changing conditions.”

He further stated that science backed policy will guide governments on where investments will yield economic returns, helping the continent meet Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger and Climate Action.

Head of Crop and Soil Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Vincent Logah, warns that growing human population will intensify food demands, stressing the need for sustainable food systems.

He noted that Ghana’s indigenous farming knowledge can be strengthened with modern science to improve soil carbon stocks and diversify cropping systems.

“As we grow in population, food demand will increase. We must crop sustainably so that our systems are not degraded,” he noted.

The researchers are upbeat that regenerative agriculture can create new revenue opportunities through carbon credit schemes, reduce fertilizer costs, improve yields, attract private and donor investment, and support the development of agritech tools powered by integrated soil data.

The programme’s collaborative research approach is expected to shape stronger agricultural policies, improve farmer livelihoods and position regenerative agriculture as a sustainable and profitable business pathway for Africa’s growing food economy.

Source: Stephanie Frimpong

Speaking to Adom News during a skill training programme organised by the Assembly Member for the Juaso Junction Electoral Area, Yaya Ibrahim, in collaboration with Ghana Growth, Mr. Nti Ansah encouraged the youth to view agriculture as a profitable business capable of reducing poverty.

He explained that empowering young people through entrepreneurship and agribusiness training would promote self-reliance and contribute to the overall development of their communities.

Christiana Rekorwaah, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, urged participants to make good use of the skills acquired to positively impact their communities.

Source: Isaac Amoako

Speaking during a visit to the district’s 30-acre maize and cassava farm at Donkorkrom, Ms. Babanawo highlighted the potential of agriculture to boost food production and generate more internally generated funds for the district.

She assured the youth of government’s commitment to support them with farming inputs to enhance productivity.

“Agriculture presents real opportunities for the youth. By investing in it, they can not only support themselves but also contribute to the district’s development,” she said.

Some young labourers already engaged in the district’s farm initiative have expressed satisfaction, noting that the project is improving their incomes.

They appealed for the programme to be scaled up to benefit more people.

District Agric Director, Alex Kofi Fordjour, reiterated the importance of direct farming and revealed plans to expand the project in the next farming season. He explained that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote agricultural development and create jobs for the youth in rural communities.

Source: Akwasi Dwamena

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They are calling on the government to institute an Agric Fund similar to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) which supports the education sector.

They believe with statutory funding support, agriculture would serve an essential role in absorbing more young persons into the space for economic growth.

Agriculture stakeholders from across the country converged in Kumasi for the Agri-SME and Finance Summit, an initiative aimed at unlocking opportunities for young people and women in Ghana’s agribusiness sector.

The summit under the ‘Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY)’ initiative of TechnoServe, in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited and with support from the Mastercard Foundation.

The HAPPY program is a four-year initiative designed to create over 326,000 dignified jobs nationwide, with a deliberate focus on women and persons with disabilities.

The event brought together 21 agribusinesses, alongside financial institutions, equipment suppliers, aggregators, and logistics partners.

Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited, Daniel Fahene Acquaye, stressed the need for innovative financing.

“The GETFund supports education. Education is a supplied side of skilled labour, Agric is the demand and the consumption part of skilled labour. So, if you invest heavily in Education, you are producing a lot of skilled labour. But we need an Agri-Fund which is the supply side to absorb the youth,” he noted.

He continued that: “Agribusinesses need more than just credit; they require tailored financing models, market access, and technology to become competitive and sustainable”.

The summit focused on how youth- and women-led Agri-SMEs can access financing, modern equipment, and technology to scale-up production, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen their place in Ghana’s agricultural value chain.

Programs Director for TechnoServe, Frank Obiora Mgbemena, underscored the essence of collaboration in transforming agribusiness.

“This platform is about forging partnerships that will help young people and women in agribusiness thrive. We are committed to building a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector,” he said.

Participants are expected to build stronger market and financing links, explore new investment pipelines, and find practical solutions for acquiring essential machinery.

“With TechnoServe funding, and the Happy program, the main focus is put on our tomato sauce production which will benefit the whole country at large,” one of the beneficiaries said.

Source: Esperiza Adjetey

The announcement was made on Monday, July 28, 2025, during the National Agribusiness Dialogue held under the theme “Resetting Agribusiness for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Growth.”

President Mahama said the initiative is part of the government’s broader “Big Push” agenda aimed at strengthening agribusiness, boosting productivity, and supporting Ghana’s 24-hour economy vision through targeted investments and industrial policy.

He revealed that the Ministry of Finance has approved funding for the first phase of the initiative, with 11 of 50 centres set to be established in key farming zones across the country.

“These centres will provide mechanisation support—such as access to tractors and other equipment—to farmers, without requiring them to purchase or maintain the machinery,” the president stated.

“What farmers really need is not ownership, but access to the services these machines provide.”

Registered farmers will be able to request services during the farming season through these centres. Technical agencies will be engaged to operate and maintain the equipment to ensure smooth service delivery.

President Mahama also announced plans to prioritise locally produced goods in public procurement as part of efforts to boost domestic production.

“The government is compiling a comprehensive list of Ghanaian-made products, including agro-processed goods, to ensure they are prioritised in procurement,” he said.

Source: AdomOnline

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During an engagement with the leadership of CSIR, the Minister raised critical concerns about the country’s overdependence on imported seeds and emphasized the urgent need to develop high-quality seeds locally.

“Why import seeds when we have the expertise and resources at CSIR to develop superior varieties?” Mr. Opoku questioned.

The Minister was presented with several improved seed varieties developed by CSIR, some of which are already in use in other African countries such as The Gambia. He expressed optimism about leveraging local research institutions to boost Ghana’s seed independence.

Mr. Opoku also revealed that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of the Netherlands to fund and construct modern facilities aimed at enhancing seed production in Ghana.

Beyond seed development, the Minister underscored the importance of food processing and value addition as critical tools for boosting farmer incomes and ensuring food security.

He tasked CSIR with developing structured training programs and educational resources for community-based commodity farmer cooperatives. This, he said, would help build a reliable farmer database to guide government interventions and support schemes.

He further announced that the government plans to procure more seeds in the coming year to ensure farmers have access to quality planting materials.

The leadership of CSIR, in response, assured the Minister of their full commitment to supporting the government’s agenda to modernize agriculture. They also advocated for stronger private sector involvement in the seed production value chain, emphasizing the need for sustained investment to meet the increasing demand for improved seeds.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment between the Ministry and CSIR to strengthen collaboration, promote agricultural innovation, and ensure that Ghanaian farmers benefit from modern agricultural technologies.

Source: Adomonline.com

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Speaking at the 2025 graduation ceremony of Brain Hill International School in East Legon, Mr. Dumelo urged education authorities to restructure the curriculum to spark early interest in agriculture among schoolchildren.

“Let’s spark their interest early,” he said. “The sooner children understand agriculture, the more likely they are to see it as a career path and a tool for national development.”

His remarks were echoed by school leaders and other dignitaries at the event. The Managing Director of the school, Mary Anane Awuku, stressed the vital role of parents in a child’s learning journey.

“It begins at home,” she noted. “We know parents are doing so well in the lives of their children, but they must not stop there. They need to be there every step of the way, helping and guiding them when they are not in the classroom.”

The school’s Principal, Awel Rahamani, called for a more holistic approach to education that emphasizes not only academics, but also emotional intelligence, adaptability, and moral grounding.

“We are not only building students; we are shaping future citizens. The world is gradually shifting education from specific to holistic as it gives these kids the all-rounded nature they need to thrive in the ever-changing job market,” she said.

Also present at the event were MP for Akuapem North Sammi Awuku and representatives from the Ministries of Education and Agriculture, who called for more purpose-driven learning.

The graduation ceremony showcased the talents and growth of pupils at various academic levels and celebrated the school’s commitment to excellence and character formation.

Brain Hill International School is expanding its reach with campuses in East Legon and Weija, continuing to offer its rich blend of academic and life-skills education to more children.

Source: Samuel Okutor

Speaking at the official launch of the initiative in Accra, President Mahama said the irrigation project forms the foundation of Grow 24, a key pillar of the 24-hour economy agenda focused on modernising agriculture through technology and sustainable practices.

He explained that Grow 24 will facilitate all-year-round farming and lead to the creation of agro-industrial parks across the country.

These parks will support value addition, agro-processing, packaging, and improved market access—ultimately reducing post-harvest losses.

President Mahama described the programme as a bold step toward achieving food self-sufficiency and increasing agricultural exports. It will also enhance farmer cooperatives, mechanisation, and access to improved seeds and inputs.

The broader 24-hour economy, he said, is designed to boost productivity across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and the creative arts. It will be supported by investments in infrastructure, financing, and digital connectivity to ensure round-the-clock operations and job creation.

Source: Adomonline

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This projection is based on solid growth momentum recorded in the first quarter of 2025, despite fiscal restraints, and a much-improved outlook for the rest of the year.

“We foresee FY2025 overall growth likely above our upper-band forecast of 4.8%. However, we opt to keep our forecast on hold within the current range of 3.8%–4.8% as we await the extent of fiscal drag on Q2 2025 performance,” the report stated.

Ghana’s economy showed early signs of potential outperformance in 2025 as real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth exceeded expectations in the first quarter. Real GDP grew by 5.3% year-on-year, up from 4.9% in the same period in 2024.

Excluding the oil and gas sector—which contracted during the period—non-oil real GDP grew impressively by 6.8% year-on-year in Q1 2025.

“This reflected strong underlying momentum in the real economy and has significantly raised our optimism about Ghana’s growth outlook for FY2025 despite the downside risks from fiscal tightening,” IC Research noted.

Growth Drivers

The key sectors that drove growth in the first quarter included Fishing (16.6%), ICT (13.1%), Finance and Insurance (9.3%), Transport and Storage (8.6%), Trade (7.1%), Crops and Cocoa (6.7%), and Manufacturing (6.6%).

Agriculture Sector

The agriculture sector recorded a surprise 6.6% growth in Q1 2025, largely due to a strong performance in the crops sub-sector, which grew by 6.7% year-on-year. This growth is believed to be contributing to the decline in food inflation since February 2025.

“We note that the impressive performance in the crops sector is yet to reflect the government’s ongoing investment in agriculture with the target to support lower food inflation,” the report observed.

The government allocated GHS1.5 billion in the 2025 budget to support grain, vegetable, and poultry production under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda.

“We expect these public investments to start yielding results during the upcoming crop harvest in late Q3 2025, potentially sustaining the strong growth in agriculture for FY2025,” IC Research added.

Industry Sector

The industry sector experienced slower growth of 3.4%, largely due to a 22.1% year-on-year contraction in the oil and gas sub-sector. This decline also dragged mining and quarrying growth down to 1.4% (from 12.8% in Q1 2024).

Construction growth also weakened significantly to 1.5%, compared to 8.2% a year earlier.

“We believe the slower growth rate in the construction sub-sector reflects the restraint on public spending in Q1 2025, as the new administration paused claims payment to contractors pending the audit of inherited arrears,” IC Research stated.

Services Sector

The services sector grew by 5.9% year-on-year in Q1 2025, compared to 4.7% in the same period of 2024. Growth was driven by strong performance in consumer trade, the digital economy, transport and storage, and financial services.

As a result, the sector contributed 2.54 percentage points to overall growth in Q1 2025, up from 2.04 percentage points in Q1 2024.

According to him, the figures are a sign of growth and recovery for the Ghanaian economy.

Dr. Iddrisu made the disclosure when he released the first-quarter GDP estimates in Accra.

Ghana’s economy grew by 5.3% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 4.9% recorded during the same period in 2024.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the economy expanded by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.9% in the first quarter of 2024.

“We can also say that the development shows that the economy is expanding in all areas,” Dr. Iddrisu said.

Growth Drivers

According to him, Crops, Information and Communication, Manufacturing, and Trade and Repair of Vehicles were some of the main drivers of first-quarter growth.

He added that Household Goods, Transport and Storage, and Finance and Insurance also significantly contributed to the GDP performance.

The Ghana Statistical Service stated that these sub-sectors contributed about 84.5% of the 5.3% growth recorded in the first quarter of 2025.

Breakdown

The Fishing sector grew by 16.4% in the first quarter of 2025.
Information and Communication posted 13.1% growth, Finance and Insurance grew by 9.3%, Transport and Storage by 8.6%, and Health and Social Work by 7.3%.

Performance of Various Sectors

The Agriculture sector recorded the highest real GDP growth of 6.6% year-on-year, followed by the Services sector at 5.9%, while the Industry sector recorded a growth rate of 3.4%.

However, the Services sector remains the largest component of the Ghanaian economy in Q1 2025, accounting for 46.8% of GDP at basic prices.

The GDP shares of Industry and Agriculture were 29.7% and 23.5%, respectively.

Food imports cost the country over $3.5 billion in 2023, according to Statista, a Germany-based online data portal—draining Ghana’s already strained foreign exchange and further strangling local farmers.

As a nation, we import almost everything edible—from rice to offal, locally called yemuadie—as local production continues to suffer largely due to limited policy interventions that can stand the test of time.

This is despite the fact that the country has a bubbling young population and a worsening unemployment rate. The 2021 Population and Housing Census showed that nearly 40 percent of Ghanaians are aged 15-35 years, the age bracket considered golden, youthful, energetic, and smart for national development.

Sadly, a 2020 World Bank report shows that 12 percent of the youth are unemployed and more than 50 percent are underemployed.

With many youths idling after fruitless searches for jobs, one would have thought that farming and food production would have become the ‘go-to’ or at least a ‘makeshift’ occupation for these youngsters to make ends meet while hoping to land their dream jobs to build careers.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. As the population increases, Ghana has failed to produce adequate food for its people, creating food insufficiency that is almost a national security challenge—if not for the growing imports.

Past Efforts

This is not a new problem. Since independence, Ghana has struggled to produce enough food for its citizens, resulting in various interventions by previous governments to address the bottlenecks, shore up domestic food production, and cut down on imports for the economy to breathe.

Perhaps, the most popular of them is Colonel (rtd) I.K. Acheampong’s Operation Feed Yourself, launched barely a month after he captured power in 1972.

The program aimed to encourage more Ghanaians into farming while energizing traditional farmers to increase production.

To achieve this, the government supported the program with subsidized farm inputs, access to credit facilities, and duty-free importation of agricultural machinery. It also recruited extension officers to support farmers in applying good agronomic practices to help increase production.

There were also sustained public sensitizations, drawing enthusiasm from Ghanaians for the program and resulting in broad-based participation by the populace.

The results were largely satisfactory, though the gains could not be sustained beyond the Acheampong regime.

Subsequently, various governments embarked on similar programs with similar intentions.

Planting for Food and Jobs

The most recent government intervention to address the food security challenge is the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative. Introduced in 2017, the program was spearheaded by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and aimed at supporting farmers and other citizens to produce food.

It took different shades, with people interested in rearing livestock also supported to increase production. A phase two was launched in 2023.

Though a great initiative, reports from farmer-based organizations, civil society groups, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) showed that the PFJ faced several challenges, leading to limited successes.

Indeed, the country’s sustained and worsening food import bill shows that none of these agricultural programs succeeded as expected. And if they did succeed, today’s food challenges show that the successes and/or the programs have not been sustainable.

This is despite the fact that millions, if not billions, of Ghana cedis from state and donor funds have been poured into these interventions.

In the case of the PFJ, for instance, reports showed that almost GHS 3 billion was spent on phase one (between 2017 and 2023). Additional spending was done on phase two in 2023 and 2024.

Tracking the Mistakes

With scarce national resources being used to fund these programs, everything must be done to ensure that we get adequate and sustainable results from such interventions.

This begs the question: what did we get wrong in the previous programs? This is critical given that efforts are underway for the government to intervene in similar ways to help encourage food production and reduce the import bill.

Key among the issues is the need to leave agriculture to professionals and experienced people.

Like all professions, agriculture is a specialized area, requiring one with adequate expertise and experience to succeed in it. Policy interventions and programming must, therefore, be initiated and led by professionals.

The tendency to allow politics to lead the way is dangerous, as has been seen in the recent past.

There are also low-hanging fruits that the country must aim to pluck.

I list them below in no particular order.

1. Rice Production

Rice remains a staple food in Ghana, yet domestic production covers only 40 percent of demand.

By increasing investment in irrigation, mechanized farming, and improved seed varieties, Ghana can significantly boost local rice production.

The National Rice Development Strategy is a step in the right direction, but additional government and private-sector partnerships are needed to enhance processing and reduce post-harvest losses.

2. Poultry Business

Ghana imports nearly 95 percent of its poultry meat, amounting to a market value of approximately $400 million every year.

With the right investment in modern poultry farms, feed production, and processing facilities, local production can be scaled up to meet domestic consumption needs.

Encouraging smallholder poultry farmers and providing them with access to financing and technical training will be crucial.

3. Livestock and Meat Processing

With meat and edible meat offal imports surpassing $210 million in 2023, there is a strong case for expanding the local livestock industry.

Investments in cattle, sheep, and pig farming, along with the development of meat processing plants, will help Ghana reduce its reliance on imported meat.

4. Value-Added Food Processing

Ghana’s food processing industry remains underdeveloped, leading to increased importation of processed foods.

Investing in agro-processing infrastructure can help add value to locally produced crops such as cassava, maize, and soybeans.

Supporting food entrepreneurs through incentives and financing will enable them to produce high-quality, consumer-oriented food products, reducing imports.

5. Irrigation and Water Management

One of the major constraints to increased agricultural productivity in Ghana is the lack of irrigation infrastructure.

With only 11,000 hectares under irrigation, expanding water management projects will enable farmers to produce crops throughout the year.

Implementing modern irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and solar-powered water pumps can significantly boost agricultural output.

6. Leveraging the Youthful Population

With 67% of Ghana’s population between 15 and 64 years old, there is a large workforce available for agricultural activities.

Encouraging youth participation in agribusiness through training programs, financial support, and modern technology can enhance food production.

Youth-led agritech startups can also contribute by introducing innovative farming solutions.

Conclusion

Ghana has the potential to transform its agricultural sector by utilizing its vast arable lands, water resources, and youthful workforce.

Reducing agricultural imports will not only save foreign exchange but also create jobs and ensure food security.

As the International Trade Administration noted in 2023, by investing in irrigation, mechanization, livestock farming, and agro-processing, Ghana can position itself as a food self-sufficient nation, reducing its reliance on costly imports while boosting economic growth.

The writer is a businessman and philanthropist who founded the collapsed Heritage Bank Limited.

During a visit to his farm, Mahama outlined his vision to address systemic barriers to agricultural productivity, including inadequate irrigation, limited access to machinery spare parts, and insufficient support services.

“One of the major problems we faced this year was the drought. The rains stopped after we planted, and after germination, the crops—maize and soybean—struggled to take root. That’s why we’re transitioning to irrigation. We’ve drilled five boreholes, and by next year, we’ll install a pivot system to grow two crops a year instead of one.”

He emphasized the need for modern agricultural practices and reliable support systems.

“We must standardize equipment and ensure anyone selling agricultural machinery in Ghana provides after-sales services. Right now, one of my combine harvesters is down, and I can’t find the parts locally. If we wait for parts from abroad, bushfires will destroy the crops,” he lamented.

Mahama proposed the establishment of farmer service centers to handle machinery operations and repairs, allowing farmers to focus on farming.

“Farmers should focus on farming. My headache today shouldn’t be about fixing a harvester. My job is to procure seeds, fertilizers, and grow crops,” he stressed.

“Agriculture is not just an economic activity; it’s the backbone of our nation. As president, I will ensure that farmers have the tools, infrastructure, and support they need to thrive,” he added.

Watch the video below:

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As part of this vision, Dr. Bawumia announced the District Agriculture Mechanization Center Programme, a new initiative that aims to provide farmers with essential tools and equipment to support mechanized farming.

Addressing party supporters in Sankore, Asunafo South, on Thursday, October 31, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that this program will expand farmers’ access to advanced agricultural tools, boosting productivity and operational efficiency.

Recognizing farmers as pillars of Ghana’s economy and key to food security, Dr. Bawumia noted that this support is a step toward empowering local farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector.

“Agriculture will be my top priority. Over 60% of Ghanaians are farmers, whether in the North, South, or East. Ghana’s growth depends on the stability and success of our farmers.

“I am committed to equipping farmers with essential resources—technology, irrigation, and financial support—to enhance their businesses.

“We will build on our progress in the cocoa sector, as seen through the DRIP project, which is developing infrastructure in districts nationwide.

“I will also establish District Agriculture Mechanization Centers, supplying every district with farming equipment, including tractors, hoes, harvesters, fertilizers, chemicals, and planters,” Dr. Bawumia stated.

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During the 5th-anniversary celebration of the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL), Dr. Addison emphasized the vital role agriculture plays in the nation’s economy, particularly in terms of employment and food security.

He noted that, food items constitute 43.7% of Ghana’s consumer basket, underscoring the sector’s importance to the country’s food security.

Dr. Addison also highlighted the need to reduce Ghana’s dependency on food imports, which currently make up about 10% of total imports and are valued at $1.5 billion.

Reducing these imports, he stated that, it would help preserve the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.

Furthermore, Dr. Addison pointed out the potential for export-oriented agriculture to significantly enhance Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings, establishing the country as a key player in the global food market.

“Agricultural financing is a crucial component of Ghana’s development strategy due to the sector’s significant role in the economy, particularly in employment and food security. From a macroeconomic perspective, agriculture contributes about 24% of GDP and employs an estimated 40% of the workforce.”

“Development within the agricultural sector is critical for the economy, given the weight of food items in the consumer basket, which accounts for 43.7%, making it a major driver of headline inflation in this country.”

“It’s also important to note that, on average, food imports account for nearly 10% of total imports, amounting to about $1.5 billion in import values.”

“The agricultural sector holds great potential to boost our country’s foreign exchange reserves. Firstly, as an import substitution strategy, increasing local food production can significantly reduce the food import bill and protect our foreign exchange reserves. Secondly, through an export promotion strategy, Ghana could emerge as a major food exporter, thereby improving the sector’s foreign exchange earnings.”

Source: Adomonline

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Farmers in the area are counting their losses as the miners besiege their farms with no prior notice to excavate sand from the parcel of land.

Major staples like rice grown in the district are under siege.

The Offinso district is known to be one of the food baskets in the Ashanti region, producing a variety of crops including rice, maize, cassava, among others.

But the production of these essential food items is threatened by activities of indiscriminate sand winning.

Alhassan Akologo farms rice, cassava, okra on this two-acre land but it has been destroyed by the sand winners.

“All the crops I grew up there have been destroyed. I grew garden eggs. While we were here, I rushed there to salvage the little I can. When you begin to complain, the local chiefs will overpower you,” he said.

A closer view to the site revealed pillaging of the earth crust for sand, scooped into at least ten tipper trucks to be transported to the city for various building constructions.

When the news team approached the miners off record, they asserted to have authorization of the landowner to carry out their activity.

But Alhassan is waiting to hear from the landowner after some of his farm produces have been destroyed.

“If they had even paid me more destroying the crops, I wouldn’t be worried. So, I went to the caretaker to find out from him, and he told me the landowner in Kumasi sold it to them. I am waiting for the landowner, too. But as I stand here, they haven’t given me one cedi,” Alhassan added.

The district agriculture directorate explains the activities of the sand winners is a bane to agriculture in the area.

Measures to halt the activities of the miners have been futile.

District Agric Director, Kofi Owusu Boahen explains the activities to be depleting soil nutrients.

“When you remove the topsoil, it affects the yield of the crops. Because that’s where the nutrients required by the plant are,” he said.

He explained to not have control over the activities of these sand winners.

“I don’t know whether they have contract with the chiefs or assembly,” Mr. Boahen said.

The agriculture directorate occasionally distributes coconut and oil palm seedlings for reclamation of the degraded lands.

“In my own way, that’s why I wrote to the Minerals Commission to supply us with the seedlings to help restore the lands,” he added.

While these sand winners exit the community they pay a levy to the local authorities.

But agriculture and the soil integrity in this area are threatened by the activity until measures are adopted to control the sand winning.

He promised to work closely with countries like Brazil and China, known for their higher crop productivity, to adopt best practices and technologies.

Dr. Bawumia pledged to establish District Agricultural Mechanisation centres in farming districts, offering affordable equipment to boost production.

He made these statements during a visit to Sandem-Nab, Nab Azaksuk Azantilow, the Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, as part of his campaign tour.

“Agriculture is going to be my number one priority. We will make sure that we have all the different pillars in place for farmers.

“I want to bring in the best practices from countries like Brazil and China that have higher productivity in crops such as maize and rice. We want to also learn from them to adopt some of those technologies that are giving them two or three times the yields per acre that we are doing.”

“I want Ghana to move away from chemical fertilizers for our soil to lime. Lime is the way forward. We have limestone in Ghana and it is much cheaper than the fertilizer, and we want to help the farmers with this new soil fertility treatment through lime,” he added.

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Within the Ghanaian agricultural ecosystem, women emerge as the unsung heroines, constituting 52% of the agricultural labor force and yielding 70% of the food crops in Ghana. Yet, economically, they benefit the least.

Just like a major part of the African continent, Ghana’s rural women and youth play an irreplaceable role in the agricultural sector not only for their communities but for the entire nation.

However, they are confronted with challenges, foremost being the barrier to land acquisition. Trapped in the background, often behind bureaucratic walls, these women struggle to harness their full potential.

High input costs, including hybrid seeds and fertilizers, hinder rural women and youth, confining them to seasonal farming or being at the mercies of other large-scale who often exploit them.

There is a need to prioritize securing land through a collaborative effort with kingmakers, government, and the private sector for women who intend to pursue farming. This could potentially reduce urban migration and unemployment. It also has the potential to enhance revenue generation of the government. Thankfully, the Youth in Agriculture Programme (YIAP) has been making efforts to contribute to this endeavor. However, more needs to be done to salvage the situation.

The financial challenge and women present another hurdle, with the high cost of inputs acting as a formidable challenge. Increasing costs of farm inputs such as hybrid seeds, herbicides, and fertilizers create a chasm, preventing these women and youth from embracing modern agricultural practices and relegating them to seasonal farming.

The remedy lies in a holistic approach. First and foremost, there must be a concerted effort to secure land for rural women and youth.

A bold resettlement program, allocating community lands for specific crops, can breathe life into these regions. Collaboration with kingmakers and private sectors can facilitate cost-effective land acquisition, curbing urban migration and unemployment.

Financial empowerment is the next imperative step. Subsidies or free provisions of farm inputs can enhance sustainable farming practices for these women, thereby increasing their ability to participate meaningfully in commercialized farming.

Government-backed venture capital funds can inject vitality into rural economies, creating a ripple effect that resonates through school feeding programs and enhances export capabilities.

Training programs in mechanized farming and access to technology can amplify their participation, transforming difficult tasks into manageable feats. The government’s role is pivotal here, not just as a provider but as an enabler, offering mechanized services and technical support to amplify sustainable agricultural practices.

Crucially, the voices of these primary producers must be heard in policy dialogues. Their lack of formal education does not diminish the insights they have collated from hands-on experience. Effective policy engagement, drawing on their practical insights, fortifies the entire agricultural value chain.

The recent importation statistics ring as a wake-up call with cereals and poultry products leading the chart. Ghana’s agricultural prowess should be a shield against reliance on foreign products.

The call to action is clear: empower rural women and youth, unlock the potential of available technologies, and transform the agri-food systems. In doing so, not only does Ghana strengthen its economic foundation, but it also paints a narrative of empowerment, resilience, and prosperity for generations to come.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, let’s inspire inclusion for sustainable agriculture and food security.

According to the GSS, the country’s economy expanded at 2.9% in the third quarter of 2022.

This is lower than the 4.7% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded in the second quarter of 2022.

The slow growth in industry (0.9%) impacted heavily on the overall growth rate.

Agriculture however recorded the highest GDP of 4.6%, in the Fishing sector whilst the services sector registered a growth rate of 3.9%.

Government Statistician Professor Samuel Kobina Anim however explain that GSS will invite various ministries and sectorial heads for review and recommendations on GDP growth.

Nine sub-sectors contracted in quarter three of 2022.

These are Professional, Administrative & Support Service activities (-12.1%), Other Personal Service Activities (-8.6%), Manufacturing (-7.4%), Construction (-7.0%), Real Estate (-6.6%), Hotels & Restaurants (-6.4%), Trade (-2.4%), Electricity (-3.9%) and Water (-3.0%).

For the Agriculture sector, all the sub-sectors expanded in growth. They were Fishing (10.0%), Livestock (5.8%), Forestry & Logging (4.7%) as well as Crops and cocoa (4.0%).

Mining & Quarrying (14.9%) was the only sub sector in Industry that recorded a growth rate.

GDP sectoral shares
The Services sector continue to be the largest sector of the Ghanaian economy in the second quarter of 2022 with a share of 44.4% of GDP at basic prices.

The GDP share of Industry and Agriculture were 33.6% and 22% respectively.

Size of economic growth

Meanwhile, the GDP estimate at current prices in purchaser’s value for the 3rd quarter of 2022 was ¢149.87 billion compared to ¢112.48 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2021.

According to him, if industrialization is based on cassava, it will go a long way in developing the country.

“The simple thing is that cassava can be the next cocoa for Ghana if we are basing our industrialization on cassava alone,” he said.

Clarifying his reason on Nhyira FM’s #Kuroyimunsem, he mentioned that cassava has a range of uses, hence can bring in revenue to the country’s benefit.

 “It can be our next cocoa in terms of the revenue we will be getting and would be the basis of our industrialization”, Mr Kantanka noted.

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“Because we need the starch for the book industry, the textiles industry and even for the pharmaceutical industry”, he added.

The crop scientist also emphasized that the starch extracted from cassava can be useful for the production of oil in the country.

“We need the starch even in the production of oil so there are so many uses so you have a whole supply chain”.

He added that “In order to produce high starch cassava varieties, there’s the need to have an industrial type of cassava”.

Taking to his Twitter account to share the message, Mr Dumelo said Ghana has hectares of uncultivated arable land enough to farm to feed people in the country.

He also mentioned that, if the lands are put to proper use, foodstuff can be exported to boost revenue for the sector.

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As a country, we have tens of 1,000’s of hectares of uncultivated arable land enough to farm to feed ourselves and export.

We have no excuse not to succeed in the Agric sector. We need a short, medium and long-term agric plan. We can do this! He posted.

Check out the post below:

To him, “government is on a serious mission to revolutionise Ghana’s agriculture” and interventions have been made under the ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ (PFJ) policy.

READ ON:Farmers’ Day: Akufo-Addo’s message to farmers

 “Interventions under PFJ have been designed to enhance yields of farmers through access to subsidised improved seeds and fertiliser, reduce post-harvest loses, increase extensive services to farmers and development of livestock services,” he assured.

Additionally, he expressed his readiness to act properly and assist farmers in providing warehouses to increase stock capacity and address post harvest loss while providing access to market.

Speaking at the 35^th National Farmers’ Day celebration themed ‘Enhancing Small-Scale Agriculture towards Agribusiness Development’, the President explained under-performance of the agric sector is costing the country’s economy, hence government’s intervention.

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“There will be improvement in mechanisation services as well as irrigation services for farmers and provision of quality subsidised fertiliser,” he said.

According to President Akufo-Addo, sod has been cut to begin construction of Pwalugu multipurpose dam and dug out to ensure all-year-round production and improve irrigation system for crop yield.

SEE ALSO:There is no job as lucrative as farming- MP