GHANA’S AGRO-INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS NOW: As Ghana marks 68 years of independence, the nation stands at a crossroads. Our agricultural sector—the bedrock of our economy, culture, and identity—holds the key to unlocking a future of prosperity, self-sufficiency, and global relevance.
This milestone is a moment to honour the farmers, processors, innovators, policymakers, and value chain actors who feed our nation and drive rural economies while observing the untapped potential of our nation’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors.
Today, due to decades of underinvestment, climate shocks, and reliance on imports have eroded this legacy Ghana spends over $7 billion annually on food imports, including staples like rice, sugar, fish, meat, poultry, fruit juice, fresh tomatoes, processed tomatoes, onion, and vegetable oils, while smallholder farmers grapple with low productivity, fragmented landholdings, and post-harvest losses exceeding 30%. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, threatening the livelihoods of millions.
Yet, it is also a time to reflect on the urgent need for a truly FOOD independent Ghana—one that is self-sufficient, productive, and globally competitive in agriculture.
On this special occasion we celebrate the resilience of Ghanaian farmers, agripreneurs, and value chain actors while aligning with the government’s visionary policies: Agriculture for Economic Transformation, the 24-Hour Economy, and the Feed Ghana Project.
TRUE INDEPENDENCE DEMANDS LIBERATION FROM SYSTEMIC DEPENDENCIES THAT UNDERMINE OUR PROGRESS
- Independence from the Huge Food Importation Bill.
Ghana spends over $7 billion annually on agriculture inputs, food, equipment and machinery imports, including staples like rice, poultry, and tomato paste. This drains foreign exchange, weakens the cedi, and exposes us to global price shocks. We must prioritize local production of these commodities through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanization, and post-harvest infrastructure. - Independence from Reliance on Imported Food Commodities.
Why import what we can grow? Ghana’s fertile lands and favourable climate can produce diverse crops, from cereals to horticultural products. Strengthening partnerships between farmers, aggregators, and agro-processors will ensure Ghanaian staples dominate local markets and beyond. - Independence from Imported Agro-Inputs and Machinery.
Over 60% of fertilizers, seeds, and machinery are imported, increasing costs for farmers. Investing in local agro-input manufacturing, bio-fertilizer innovation, and seed breeding programs will reduce dependency and keep resources within Ghana’s economy. - Independence from Imported Agro-Skills.
Technical expertise in agronomy, agri-tech, and mechanization should be homegrown. We urge the government and private sector to expand agricultural training institutions, vocational programs, and digital literacy initiatives tailored to modern farming.
5.Independence from Low Productivity.
Average crop yields in Ghana remain below regional benchmarks due to fragmented landholdings, climate vulnerabilities, and limited tech adoption. Scaling up climate-smart practices, precision agriculture, and farmer-led extension services is non-negotiable.
The government’s renewed focus on agriculture through its Agriculture for Economic Transformation Policy, 24-Hour Economy Agenda, and Feed Ghana Project signals a critical shift.
- Transform subsistence farming into a modern, industrialized sector (Agriculture for Economic Transformation).
- Maximize productivity through round-the-clock Agro-processing and logistics (24-Hour Economy).
- Engage stakeholders in participatory governance to refine policies (Feed Ghana Project).
This trifecta of policies underscores a bold vision to position Ghana as a self-reliant Agro-industrial powerhouse within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and global markets.
The Chamber wishes to propose some Policy Integration and pathways to Food Sovereignty and Industrialization.
· The Agriculture for Economic Transformation must build a resilient Agro-Industrial base and adopt policy prioritization of value chain development in rice, fruits, cassava, maize, soy, fish, poultry, and horticulture—sectors where Ghana’s import dependency is stark.
· Climate-Smart Investment by scaling irrigation projects (e.g., Pwalugu Dam) and drought-resistant seed adoption to mitigate climate risks.
· Value Addition – Establishing Agro-processing clusters in all regions to convert raw produce into high-value exports.
· Mechanization through the deployment of subsidized machinery for land preparation, harvesting, and processing to reduce labor bottlenecks.
· Provide tax incentives for local Agro-processors to compete with imports.
· 24-Hour Economy through revolutionizing Agro-Productivity with economic models will eliminate inefficiencies in commercial Agro-production, industrial Agro-processing, storage, and logistics by enabling round-the-clock operations.
· We urge the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drug Authority to fast-track 24-hour certification for export-ready factories.
Vision to Action
We edge the government to prioritize Ghana’s Agro-Infrastructure development and transform the rural Agro economy into Ghana’s economic hub. Allocate 20% of the National budget to agriculture, focusing on strategic Agro industries development, Agro special economic zones, rural roads, ports, and renewable energy grids. Enforce Strategic Tariffs impose levies on imported rice, poultry, and tomato paste to protect local industries, as done by Nigeria and India.
The government must provide incentive packages for the private sector to invest in 24/7 processing Hubs. Strategic promotion of Agribusiness public-private Partnership at the districts to build resilient Agro-processing cottage industries like fruits, cashew, shea, and cocoa butter factories near farms. Adopting Circular Economy Models to convert Agro-waste into biofuels, livestock feed, and organic fertilizers to reduce costs and imports.
Strengthen and transform agriculture and Agro-industry technical skills and upgrade agricultural colleges to offer certifications in artificial intelligence and robotics, food engineering, food safety, quality control and export compliance.
Ghanaians must intentionally patronize Local Food, Day and Night choose Ghanaian-made rice, oils, and poultry to sustain demand for 24-hour Agro-businesses.
Today we Celebrate Agri-Heroes, we amplify success stories of agripreneurs and farmers driving change and unified march towards Ghana`s Agro-Independence.
Ghana’s 68th Independence Anniversary is a rallying cry for a Green Industrial Revolution. The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana commends the government’s policies but urges accelerated implementation of the vision.
By 2030, replace 70% of food imports with Ghanaian-grown staples.
By 2035, position Ghana as Africa’s leading exporter of processed cocoa, cashew, and horticultural products.
By 2040, eradicate farmer poverty through inclusive value chains and 24-hour agro-industries.
The Agriculture for Economic Transformation, 24-Hour Economy, and the Feed Ghana Project must not mere slogans—they must be lifelines to a future where Ghana feeds itself, employs its youth, and trades on its terms. As the African proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
Together, we transform Ghana into a net exporter of food, skills, and Agro technology.
Let this Independence Day ignite a renewed commitment to a self-reliant, prosperous, and globally respected agricultural sector.
LET’S PLANT THE SEEDS OF GHANA’S AGRI-FOOD-INDEPENDENCE TODAY
THE SEED OF GHANA’S GREATNESS LIES IN OUR SOIL. LET US CULTIVATE IT WITH UNITY, INNOVATION, AND UNWAVERING RESOLVE.”
OUR SOIL IS OUR GOLD. LET’S MINE IT WITH PRIDE, INNOVATION, AND UNITY.
A United Vision for the Future.
