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Danger looms as drought hits Volta Region rice production.

The site of a rice farm plagued by drought in the Volta Region.

The Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) has revealed that rice production in the Volta Region of Ghana faces bleak consequences this year due to ongoing drought conditions which are disrupting production in some parts of the Region.

According to the body, farmers in the Akatsi North and South districts in the Volta Region have been gravely affected by poor rainfall patterns and are likely to lose their entire output for the 2021/2022 season.

“In Ketu South alone, over 700 hectares of rice have been lost to the drought. “The problem covers several areas including Kpoglu, Avalavi, Klenomadi and Avie in Ketu North, Akatsi in Akatsi South, Tongu Districts, Afadzato South District and Hohoe Municipal areas,” the President said.

This comes as a blow to the sector, which is an attempt to wean the country off rice importation by achieving self-sufficiency in production by 2025.

As if that is not enough, the affected farmers will have to wait till next year before they can earn some income.

Speaking to the reporter, President of GRIB Nana Agyei Ayeh II said some members of the farmers reached out to him to ascertain the situation and find a solution to the looming danger.

The President, together with some of the officials of the John A. Kufuor Foundation paid a working visit to the farms, and on their observation, several hectares of rice under cultivation are lost due to climate change and low levels of rainfall in these communities.

The woes of the farmers are further exacerbated by the huge investments they have already made in land preparation, seeds, and fertilizer.

However, the provisional production figures by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) indicate that about 973, 000 metric tonnes of rice were produced in Ghana in 2020. But, this figure could be hard to match in 2021 if the current situation persists.

Nana Agyei Ayeh II revealed that the existing dam structure which was built to harvest water to irrigate the farmlands is in a dire state of disrepair, leaving farmers at the mercy of the harsh weather conditions.

“We cannot continue with rain-fed agriculture. As you can see, this year, farmers have lost their investments simply because the rains failed them.

We would like to appeal to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide dugouts for these areas. These will aid in water conservations for the purposes of irrigation in such times like what we facing now” he added.

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Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture inaugurates Ministerial Advisory Board to strengthen fisheries governance in Ghana

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA) has inaugurated its Ministerial Advisory Board (MAB), marking a significant step toward strengthening policy coherence, accountability, and effective service delivery in Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The inauguration ceremony was held today Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Minister’s Conference Room in Accra, in line with Sections 39, 40, and 41 of the Civil Service Act, 1994 (PNDCL 327).

Speaking at the ceremony, the Hon. Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Emelia Arthur, described the establishment of the Advisory Board as both a statutory obligation and a strategic governance intervention aimed at improving decision-making and deepening stakeholder engagement within the sector.

“The Ministerial Advisory Board is mandated to provide strategic guidance to shape and refine the Ministry’s policies, plans, and operations.

Its advisory role on policy direction, planning objectives, and operational strategies is critical to addressing the complex challenges facing the fisheries and aquaculture sector,” the Minister stated.

Composition of the Ministerial Advisory Board
The Minister announced the membership of the Advisory Board, which brings together distinguished experts from academia, government institutions, regulatory bodies, and industry associations. Members of the Board include:
Prof. Francis K. E. Nunoo, Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana

Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, Director-General, Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA)

Mr. Jacob Doe Adzikah, Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana

Nana Jojo Solomon, President, National Fisheries Association of Ghana

Major General Paul Seidu Tanye Kulono, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Tema

Prof. Lord Mensah, Local Government Services, Accra

Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Accra

The Hon. Minister serves as Chairperson of the Board, supported by the Chief Director of the Ministry, in accordance with the Civil Service Act.

Strengthening Sector Governance
The Minister emphasized that the diversity of expertise represented on the Board will enhance evidence-based policymaking, environmental compliance, maritime safety, effective decentralised implementation, and the protection of fisherfolk livelihoods.

Representatives from research institutions will provide analytical support, while regulatory and maritime agencies will contribute expertise in environmental protection, navigation, logistics, and fisheries development.

Industry and fisheries association representatives are expected to ensure that the concerns and welfare of fisherfolk and aquaculture operators are fully reflected in policy deliberations.

She congratulated the members on their appointment and urged them to discharge their duties with professionalism, integrity, and a strong sense of national responsibility, assuring them of the Ministry’s full cooperation.

The inauguration of the Ministerial Advisory Board underscores MoFA’s commitment to inclusive governance and collaborative problem-solving as it works toward building a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous fisheries and aquaculture sector to support Ghana’s socio-economic development.

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Why I still want to serve after 16 years in parliament – Hon. Eric Opoku

Member of Parliament for the Asunafo South Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Hon. Eric Opoku has said he still has the enthusiasm and wants to serve his people in parliament.

Being in parliament for 16 years, Eric Opoku in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Tuesday said he has served his people and is ever ready to continue.

He said even in opposition, he is always readily available, adding that even when he decided not to contest again, his constituents organized fundraising and picked the form on his behalf.

“At any point in time you pick signals that people are tired of you, then you have to stay away and allow someone to also contest but in my case, my people are ever ready to receive me again. I represented my people for so many years because I wanted to serve them.”

According to Eric Opoku, although he has done a lot for his constituency as far as development is concerned, he owes his constituents a lot as they have been very instrumental in his life.

“When you decide to lead, you need to ensure that you do what they want and be truthful to them. That is what I keep doing.

“I remember during my first elections, my constituents contributed and supported my campaign when I had nothing and so when I won the elections, I told myself that these are people who have invested in me and so it was important that I serve them well.

“Over the last 16 years I have worked and so I want to continue the good works with the humility I have shown over the years,” he said.

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Agric Minister commended farmers for “no food shortage” in 2025

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has stated that Ghana recorded no food shortages in 2025, noting that the country even exceeded its agricultural production expectations.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Opoku commended Ghanaian farmers for their resilience despite challenges, describing their performance as exceptional.

According to the minister, the country currently has adequate buffer stocks to meet future needs. He further highlighted that the agriculture sector has been a major driver of economic growth, contributing significantly to the reduction of food inflation and general food prices.

Mr. Opoku also disclosed that the government is working to improve agricultural roads to ease transportation challenges and enhance access to markets.

“I believe we need to applaud Ghanaian farmers for their remarkable achievements despite the challenges they face. There have been no food shortages, and we maintain a buffer stock to ensure we are prepared for rainy days. Preliminary data indicate that we have exceeded our expectations,” Mr. Opoku said.

He added, “Agriculture has been a key driver of growth in our economy. Food inflation has decreased, and overall food prices have gone down. We are also working on improving agricultural roads to facilitate easier transportation.”

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Olam Agri Ghana pays courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama

The Management of Olam Agri Ghana, led by Country Head, Mr. Baibhav Biswas, has paid a courtesy call on His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, at Jubilee House, in Accra.

The meeting is a follow up on the President’s visit to the Olam Agri headquarters in Singapore last August, and forms part of ongoing engagements to deepen collaboration between the company and the Government of Ghana.

Discussions centred on key issues shaping Ghana’s agriculture sector and trade development, as well as Olam Agri’s future strategic investments aimed at positioning Ghana as a regional manufacturing hub. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships, driving sustainable growth in the grains and rice sectors, and creating jobs to enhance livelihoods.

President John Dramani Mahama was accompanied by Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare; Economic Advisor to the President, Mr. Seth Terkper; Presidential Adviser and Special Aide, Ms. Joyce Bawa Mogtari; Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr. Simon Madjie.

Olam Agri’s delegation comprised Mr. Raghav Mandhana, Regional Financial Controller; Mr. Soumya Saxena, Head of Grains Business; Mr. Ankit Pansari, Financial Controller; Ms. Nora Andoh, Head of Corporate Account, Tax & Compliance Manager; Ms. Naa Dzama Amu, Corporate Communications Manager; and Mr. Mubarak Mahama, Regional Sales Manager.

Mr. Baibhav Biswas thanked the President for the opportunity to engage and for his continued interest in Olam Agri’s operations in Ghana and the sub-region. He reiterated Olam Agri’s long-term commitment to investing in Ghana’s agricultural sector, partnering with local stakeholders, and supporting government initiatives to ensure stable food supplies and affordable staple foods for Ghanaians.

His Excellency John Dramani Mahama welcomed Olam Agri’s ongoing investments and emphasised the important role of credible, long-term private sector partners in advancing Ghana’s economic and social development agenda. He encouraged the company to continue aligning its initiatives with national priorities on industrialisation, job creation and rural development.

Olam Agri has operated in Ghana for over 30 years and is a leading player in the processing and distribution of key food staples. The company works with a broad network of local suppliers, distributors and farmers to strengthen food systems and deliver quality, safe and affordable food products to Ghanaian households

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Trade Minister Meets Tomato Traders and Transporters to Resolve Industry Impasses

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has met with the Federation of Tomato Growers Associations and the Ghana National Tomato Traders and Transporters Association to address challenges disrupting the tomato value chain and restore stability within the industry.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, at the Ministry’s conference room, provided an opportunity for the associations to outline longstanding challenges affecting the sector.

Key issues discussed included pricing disputes, transportation bottlenecks, post-harvest losses and market access constraints, which have contributed to the current impasse in tomato distribution nationwide.

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare reaffirmed government’s commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that protect livelihoods, ensure fair trade practices and strengthen domestic agribusiness.

She stressed the need for cooperation among producers, traders and transporters to grow the tomato industry.

The Minister noted that improved coordination would reduce the need for traders to import tomatoes from neighboring countries for sale in Ghana.

Representatives of the associations welcomed the engagement and expressed optimism that the discussions would lead to practical interventions to improve the tomato trade and transport system in Ghana especially within Tuobodom, in the Techiman North District

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Government pledges its support to expand Akumfi Juice Factory

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has paid a working visit to the Ekumfi Juice Factory as part of government efforts to strengthen agro-processing and accelerate industrial growth under the 24-Hour Economy policy.

The visit, which took place on Friday, December 19, 2025, was aimed at assessing the factory’s operations and exploring ways it can take advantage of government’s industrialization agenda to boost production, create jobs, and add value to locally produced fruits.

Addressing the press during the tour, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting local agro-processing companies, describing them as critical to reducing post-harvest losses, improving farmer incomes, and driving sustainable economic growth.

She noted that the 24-Hour Economy initiative presents significant opportunities for factories such as Ekumfi Juice to scale up production, operate more efficiently, and meet both domestic and export market demand, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare at the Akumfi Juice Factory’s farms.

The Operations Manager of Ekumfi Juice Factory, Mr. Frederick Kobbyna Acquaah, briefed the Minister on the company’s production processes, capacity, and operational challenges. He highlighted key issues including access to finance, reliable power supply, and consistent sourcing of raw materials, while expressing optimism about the factory’s growth prospects with sustained government support.

Mr. Acquaah also commended the government for prioritizing agribusiness and local manufacturing, noting that targeted policy interventions would enable the company to expand operations, create employment for more youth, and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.

As part of the visit, the Minister and members of the press were taken to the factory’s farms, where a variety of fruits including oranges, guava, and passion fruit are cultivated in large quantities to support juice production. Management disclosed plans to establish a new fruit juice processing plants in the Central Region in 2026.

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare assured the company of the Ministry’s readiness to work with relevant agencies to address its challenges and create an enabling environment for agro-industrial firms to thrive.

The visit forms part of the Ministry’s broader engagement with local industries aimed at promoting inclusive industrial development and ensuring the successful implementation of government’s economic transformation agenda.

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Government Moves to Validate National Agribusiness Policy for Inclusive Growth

The Government is taking decisive steps to reset Ghana’s agribusiness sector with the validation of a Draft National Agribusiness and Agro-Processing Policy aimed at promoting inclusive growth, investment, and commercial farming.

Speaking at the National Agribusiness Policy Validation Workshop in Accra on Friday, 19th December, 2025, the Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Sampson Ahi underscored government’s commitment to shifting Ghana’s agricultural sector from subsistence practices to a business-driven, value-oriented agribusiness ecosystem.

According to him, the policy is intended to provide clear direction for agribusiness development by focusing on the commercial aspects of farming, trade, and agro-processing, stressing that agriculture must go beyond production to address value addition, markets, and sustainability.

Hon. Ahi urged stakeholders to expedite actions towards finalising the policy, noting that government was keen on completing the process within the shortest possible time.

He said although the initial expectation was to have the policy ready for Cabinet consideration before the end of the year, he would push for it to be presented at the first Cabinet meeting in 2026 if timelines were not met.

The Deputy Minister called on all participants to give their best during the validation process to ensure the development of a strong, coherent, and results-oriented agribusiness policy.

He emphasised the need for collaboration among technical experts, policymakers, and private sector players to produce a policy that is practical, implementable, and capable of delivering tangible outcomes, noting that the government’s objective is to stimulate economic growth through agribusiness-led industrialisation.

Also addressing participants, the Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Group, Mr. Daniel Acquaye, recounted the extensive stakeholder engagement process that began in July 2025, including national and regional dialogues across Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Northern, Volta, and Oti regions.

He explained that the policy development process brought together industry players, development partners, academia, policy experts, agribusiness processors, and farmer groups, allowing grassroots voices to shape the policy framework.

Mr. Acquaye outlined key questions guiding the validation process, including whether the policy would provide clear direction, address systemic challenges such as post-harvest losses, unlock investment opportunities, promote inclusivity, and drive transformative change rather than marginal improvements.

He praised the Ministry, particularly the Sector Minister, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and the Deputy Minister, for their hands-on leadership and commitment to ensuring the policy is completed within a reasonable timeframe.

Earlier, in a welcome address, the Director for Agribusiness at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mr. Kwame Oppong-Ntim, explained the Ministry found it critical to develop a single, comprehensive policy framework to guide agribusiness and agro-processing activities nationwide.

Mr. Oppong-Ntim revealed that the draft policy was developed through extensive national and regional consultations involving both public and private sector stakeholders.

He noted that the validation workshop was convened to ensure that all regional and national priorities had been adequately captured in the document.

“The essence of this validation is to scrutinise the draft policy and provide the necessary feedback to make it comprehensive and robust enough to stand the test of time,” he said.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, development partners, industry associations, and policy experts. Activities included presentations on the draft policy’s objectives and key highlights, breakout group discussions across thematic areas, and plenary sessions to consolidate stakeholder inputs.

The validation exercise is expected to mark the final phase before the policy undergoes expert review and submission for Cabinet consideration, paving the way for a more coordinated, inclusive, and investment-driven agribusiness sector in Ghana.

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MoFA cautions the public on MoFA CARES, 2025 National Empowerment Programe scam

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has cautioned the general public on the scam alert circulating on the internet dubbed: MoFA CARES 2025 National Empoerment Program.

According to the press release issued by the Public Relation Office of the Ministry, the attention of the Ministry has been drawn to a scam circulating online.

The release stated that the fraudulent circulation calls on targeted persons to provide their Accounts Details and personal data to a fake online site (info@ mofa-gh.online) as beneficiaries selected to receive a grant of GHC50,000.00 from the non-existent 2025 NATIONAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM by the President Mahama government.

“A contact of the scammer by name of Professor Albert Kwame on 0205868387 is attached for further enquiries,” the released said.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) therefore, brings to the attention of the public that the said program does not exist and it’s a confirmed scam.

The Ministry also entreats the public to desist from dealing with these scammers and refrain from clicking such links.

The public is entreated not to share any personal identification, bank account details or pay any application fees to these scammers.

The Ministry urged the public to all times contact the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture or visit the official website of the ministry: via www.mofa.gov.gh.

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Komenda sugar factory set for revival by end of 2026 – Trade Minister

The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has announced plans to operationalise the Komenda Sugar Factory by the end of 2026.

The Ministry confirmed that land has been successfully acquired for the cultivation of sugarcane, which will supply raw materials for the factory.

Established in 1964, the Komenda Sugar Factory has faced persistent challenges over the years, including technical difficulties that led to its shutdown. The facility has remained dormant since then.

In early August, the Ministry inaugurated an Interim Management Committee to assess the factory’s assets, review its financial and business viability, and evaluate the sugarcane supply chain.

Speaking during a working visit to the Ministry by Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare revealed that preparations are well advanced to ensure the factory begins operations by the end of 2026.

She also urged investors to support sugarcane farmers with financial assistance and other necessary inputs to sustain production.

“We have acquired land for the plantation of sugarcane in the Komenda area. We do not need to teach anyone how to farm sugarcane; those born in this enclave already know how. When we engaged the farmers, they were ready, willing, and happy. We hope to operationalise the Komenda Sugar Factory by the end of 2026,” she said.

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40,000 acres in Yeji have been secured by Trade Ministry for Feed the Industry programme

The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has acquired 40,000 acres of land from the Yeji Traditional Council to support the implementation of the Feed the Industry programme.

The programme forms part of the government’s flagship Feed Ghana initiative and is aimed at promoting large-scale cultivation to increase the supply of raw materials for local industries, reduce dependence on imports, and strengthen agro-industrial production.

Speaking during the Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, on Thursday, December 18, the sector minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, disclosed that her outfit is engaging private sector players, including GB Foods, to support the initiative.

She added that the Ministry will soon begin the commercial cultivation of tomatoes, pepper, and ginger on 6,000 hectares of land.

She noted that the programme is expected to create jobs, support local farmers, and enhance value chain development across the agribusiness sector.

“In September, we will begin cultivating about 6,000 hectares of tomatoes and ginger. We have also acquired 40,000 acres of land from the Yeji Traditional Council to promote the Feed the Industry Programme.”

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