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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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Suppliers of school feeding programme import rice instead of buying from local farmers — Dr Nyaaba

The CEO of Akuafo Nketewa and the former director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, has alleged that contractors engaged by the government to procure locally produced rice for the Ghana School Feeding Programme have instead opted to import foreign rice.

He made the claims during an appearance on JoyNews on Monday, March 9, where he discussed the state of Ghana’s food security 69 years after independence.

Dr Nyaaba expressed concern that, despite the government’s earlier assurances, locally grown rice continues to be sidelined.

“We were very excited when we got the directive from the president that the school feeding programme is going to buy rice and maize from the local farmers. We were all prepared, waiting for them to arrive. The contractors they engaged to purchase produce from farmers decided to import it,” he claimed.

“They gave a contract to people; instead of buying from the farmers, they imported the rice, leaving the farmers,” he alleged.

He noted that despite repeated requests for the government to release the names of the contractors, no action has been taken.

“We keep engaging the National Food Buffer Stock Company to publish the lists of the people they engaged to mobilise this produce, and they are failing to do that. And there is no evidence from any farmer that the National Food Buffer Stock came to buy from them,” he said.

In November 2025, the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, announced that John Dramani Mahama had directed all public schools, from basic to tertiary levels, to exclusively purchase staple food items, including rice, produced within Ghana.

The initiative, described as a “Buy Ghana, Eat Ghana” measure, is intended to create a reliable market for local producers, guaranteeing their income and encouraging increased domestic food production.

Speaking on the programme, Dr Nyaaba—who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Akuafo Nketewa—questioned the effectiveness of policies aimed at strengthening local agriculture and urged authorities to ensure that government initiatives genuinely benefit Ghanaian farmers.

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Crops Research Institute warns against use of cement powder in bean preservation

The Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI), has expressed deep concern about the use of cement powder for the storage and preservation of cowpea (beans) against pests by some farmers in the beans value chain.

It warned that the activity was highly unsafe and unscientific, posing serious health risk to consumers and undermined efforts to improve post-harvest storage and food safety in Ghana.

Professor Maxwell Darko Asante, the Director of CRI, in a statement to the Ghana News Agency, said the Institute had taken notice of a viral video circulating on social media, indicating the use of what looked like cement powder for the storage and preservation of cowpea against storage pests.

The statement strongly condemned the practice and discouraged all, especially farmers, traders and consumers from adopting it.

The statement said the video presented false and inaccurate information shared with the potential to deceive, manipulate or cause harm to vulnerable group of persons in Ghana.

“Cement is not a food-grade substance and is not approved for use in food or grain preservation under any circumstance. The institute wishes to also remind Ghanaians that not all information shared on social media is true and authentic.”

“The Institute, therefore, calls on the public to verify agricultural information with the credible and relevant institutions before adoption and dissemination,’ the statement said.

The statement advised farmers to always contact the nearest extension officer of the Extension Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture or the office of the CSIRCrops Research Institute to establish the veracity of any technology, practice or information before adoption.

It added that the CRI remained committed to promoting safe, evidence-based, and internationally accepted post-harvest handling practices.

The Crops Research Institute, while condemning such practices, also sought to promote scientifically validated, safe storage methods with which stakeholders can improve cowpea quality, enhance food safety, and increase farmer profitability across Ghana.

The Institute recommended that cowpea grains are dried to safe moisture levels (about 12-13 percent) before storing them.

Again, hermetic storage technologies including use of airtight packages such as the PICS bags or other hermetic containers are adopted and it is highly recommended for smallholder farmers in Ghana.

Farmers were advised to use approved grain protectants, ensure clean storage facilities, as well as adopt integrated pest management strategies.

Furthermore, botanical protectants must be practiced — these are locally validated or traditional practices with very low chemical residual risk including Neem seed powder or neem oil extracts and wood ash.

The statement encouraged the use of diatomaceous earth — a mutual non-toxic powder prepared from fossilised algae could be mixed with cowpea grains.

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Food security central to national stability – Ashanti Regional Minister

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has stressed the critical importance of policy-driven food security for Ghana, warning that any compromise in this area could destabilise the country’s peace and safety.

The Minister made the remarks during a courtesy call from the Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), George Abradu-Otoo, at his office in Kumasi on Tuesday.

Mr Abradu-Otoo is this week touring selected senior high schools, warehouses, and other agricultural facilities across the Eastern, Ashanti, Bono, and Bono East regions to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen food security initiatives.

Dr Amoakohene commended Buffer Stock’s lead role in the ongoing National Food Reserve program but noted that more needed to be done to secure the country’s food supply.

“I am aware of the food reserve program, and I commend you for that, but a lot more of our local farmers, especially rice farmers and millers, are still crying for help.

“We will need to step up a bit. Let’s consider processing, hygiene, and safety. If we are not food secure, it can jeopardise our peace and stability,” he said.

In response, Mr Abradu-Otoo assured that several steps are underway to safeguard the country’s food supply, including engaging the government and external donors for additional funding, scaling up grain purchases, and expanding and rehabilitating storage facilities.

During his visit, the NAFCO CEO toured Prempeh College, where he was received by the Headmaster, Very Rev. Lewis Asare.

The school, which serves 4,256 students, confirmed that it has adequate food stocks, crediting Buffer Stock for the support.

“The challenge had been how to get them food, but now we have them in abundance. I do not worry at all,” the Headmaster noted.

Mr Abradu-Otoo also inspected the company’s warehouse at Duase, which stores grains for the National Food Reserve, as well as silos and warehouses of the defunct Ghana Food Distribution Corporation in Sekyedumase and Ejura.

At Ejura, he met with chiefs and elders to discuss plans for revamping the Ejura Farms facilities, part of NAFCO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s food security infrastructure.

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Australia invests AUD76m in Ghana’s climate resilient agriculture

The Australian government has once again demonstrated its commitment to climate resilience and agriculture in Africa with the launch of the Africa-Australia Partnership.

The project, spearheaded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), was launched on February 24, with the aim of fostering agricultural innovation and research partnerships across Africa, with a particular focus on supporting smallholder farmers.

The partnership will provide funding and logistical support to help smallholder farmers adopt climate-resilient practices, strengthen women’s participation and leadership in agriculture, and build Africa–Australia research collaborations to enhance research capacity and drive innovation.

Speaking at the launch, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana Berenice Owen-Jones explained that Ghana has long been a focal point for ACIAR, explaining that the decision to establish an office in Ghana is intended to promote partnerships and contribute to climate resilience and food security.

She expressed a strong conviction that the project will deliver a transformative impact and bring substantial benefits to Ghanaian farmers.

“Ghana has been on the radar of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research for a long time, and now the time has come. We have now set up an office here in Ghana for ACIAR. The purpose of that office is to encourage partnerships, build exchanges on scientific research for development, and focus on climate resilience, agriculture, and food security.

“The project is focused on very practical and tangible outcomes and specifically targets smallholder farmers. This is where we believe we can make a real difference in Ghana,” she said.

Zita Ritchie, Research Program Manager for the Africa–Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, noted that funding and project prioritization will be guided by Ghana’s national priorities.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crop Development Authority, Dr Andy Osei Okrah, expressed excitement, noting that the initiative will serve as a great boost for Ghanaian crop producers.

The six-year project, which commenced in 2024, will see the Australian government invest AUD76 million in supporting Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, and Nigeria.

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Seven (7) 40HP outboard motors have been donated to fishers in Senya Beraku following last week’s robbery attack.

As directed by the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, together with the Member of Parliament for Awutu-Senya West, Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui, have donated seven (7) 40HP outboard motors to fishers in Senya Beraku following last week’s robbery attack.

Out of the seven outboard motors presented, six (6) are for the replacement of those stolen during the attack, while one (1) has been dedicated to support rescue and emergency response activities within the fishing community.

The presentation, held in Senya Beraku in the Central Region, forms part of Government’s swift intervention after several Ghanaian fishers were assaulted at sea and had their outboard motors and other valuables forcibly taken. The incident temporarily disrupted fishing activities and threatened the livelihoods of the affected families.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Emelia Arthur conveyed the President’s solidarity and concern for the victims, emphasising that Government remains firmly committed to protecting Ghanaian fishers and securing the country’s territorial waters.

She noted that the recently enacted Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), has strengthened enforcement, monitoring and safety mechanisms within the fisheries sector.

According to the Minister, Government is implementing additional measures including improved registration and licensing of fishing canoes, the introduction of GPS tracking and long-range communication systems for artisanal vessels, and the rollout of insurance and pension schemes for fishers.

The Minister further indicated that Government is enhancing naval patrol capacity to boost surveillance, deterrence and rapid response at sea to prevent future attacks and ensure safer fishing operations.

On her part, Hon. Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui expressed appreciation to the President for fulfilling his promise to the people of Awutu-Senya West. She stated that since the unfortunate incident, Government has remained in close contact with the affected fishers and assured them of timely support.

She further announced that premix fuel would be supplied to enable the beneficiaries to resume their fishing expeditions immediately.

She expressed gratitude to God for the safe rescue of all the fishers and encouraged fishing communities to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities at sea.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture reiterated that fisheries remain vital to national food security, employment and coastal stability, and assured the public that Government will continue to act decisively to keep Ghana’s seas safe and secure.

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Cameroon crosses 80% Cocoa processing mark as new 32,000-tonnes plant break grounds

Cameroon has laid the foundation stone for a new cocoa grinding and processing plant in Baré-Bakem, Moungo Division of the Littoral Region, further consolidating its position as a leading local processor of its cocoa output.

On 27 February 2026, the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, presided over the ceremony for the industrial unit of Samen Industry S.A, owned by Cameroonian entrepreneur Patrice Samen.

According to the Ministry of Trade, the new factory, with an annual processing capacity of 32,000 tonnes of cocoa beans, adds to the country’s installed processing capacity, which now exceeds 250,000 tonnes.

The ministry adds that during the last campaign, commercialised production stood at about 300,000 tonnes, meaning more than 80% of national output is now processed locally.

The Minister of Trade described the performance as a world record, noting that the sector had previously set a target of 40% local processing, a threshold that has since been surpassed.

According to authorities, the project aligns with the National Development Strategy, NDS30 and the import-substitution policy. The new unit is expected to strengthen domestic value addition and reduce exposure to raw commodity exports.

Producers urged to share in industrial capital

Beyond capacity expansion, the Minister of Trade outlined the objective of ensuring that locally generated value benefits the entire cocoa chain, particularly producers.

He referred to volatility and speculation on international commodity markets and stated that the Government is working to address market opacity affecting raw material trade.

Local transformation was presented as a structural response to fluctuations in global prices.

The Minister called on industrial operators to open their share capital to producer cooperatives, enabling farmers to receive dividends from semi-finished and finished cocoa products, in addition to the farm-gate price of beans.

According to the Ministry of Trade, the Baré-Bakem event forms part of a broader effort to structure the cocoa sector.

The ministry adds that the commissioning of the Samen Industry S.A plant represents an additional step in Cameroon’s strategy to anchor cocoa processing within its borders, expand industrial capacity and increase the share of value retained in the domestic economy.

The Ministry of Trade further revealed that before July 2026, ahead of the next cocoa campaign, the Government plans to convene stakeholders to define a national cocoa policy. The consultations are expected to address revenue distribution while maintaining quality standards associated with Cameroon-origin cocoa.

On 20 February 2026, Cameroon won a gold medal at the 10th edition of the Cocoa of Excellence Awards, held alongside the Chocoa Trade Fair in Amsterdam, reinforcing its international reputation for quality.

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Ivory Coast reassures farmers over purchase of excess cocoa stock amid strike threats

Ivory ​Coast has given assurances it will continue a programme to buy a ‌residual stock of 100,000 metric tons of cocoa at the guaranteed price, the head of cocoa producers’ organisation said on Tuesday, in an effort to calm tensions among farmers and cooperatives.

Farmers ​had voiced concern in recent days that the stock-buying programme, launched in late ​January to clear unsold beans and provide cash to farmers after ⁠a slump in global cocoa prices, could be halted as the mid-crop harvest ​gets under way earlier than usual.

Around 23,000 tons have been purchased since the start ​of the operation, according to data provided by the Agricultural Interprofessional Organization for Cocoa.

“I would like to reassure our fellow farmers and cooperative presidents that the government has given us guarantees that ​the programme will continue and that all the stock inventoried by the Coffee ​and Cocoa Council on January 15 and 16 will be fully purchased,” Siaka Diakite, president of ‌the ⁠Agricultural Interprofessional Organization for Cocoa, told journalists on Tuesday at CCC headquarters in Abidjan. He said the remaining stock will be bought at the guaranteed price of 2,800 CFA francs ($5.00).

DEEP CUT TO FARMGATE PRICES?

Government and regulator sources told Reuters last week that ​authorities were considering cutting the ​mid-crop farmgate price ⁠to between 800 and 1,000 CFA francs per kilogram from 2,800 CFA francs for the main crop.

Several farmers and cooperatives, including ​in the western town of Duekoue and the port city ​of San ⁠Pedro, had threatened to strike and park trucks loaded with cocoa outside regional administrative buildings in protest over a possible suspension of the stock-buying programme.

On Monday, Diakite criticised what ⁠he ​described as administrative blockages by the CCC, which ​he said had refused to validate bills of lading allowing cooperatives to deliver cocoa to Abidjan.

($1 = 559.7500 CFA ​francs)

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Chamber of Agribusiness calls for transparency on machinery for Farmer Service Centres

The Chamber of Agribusiness, Ghana has called for the immediate disclosure of detailed technical specifications for agricultural machinery to be deployed under the government’s Farmer Service Centres initiative.

The appeal follows an announcement by President John Dramani Mahama during the State of the Nation Address delivered on Friday, February 27, 2026, that the first Farmer Service Centre will soon be commissioned in the Afram Plains in the Eastern Region.

According to the Chamber, access to comprehensive information on the equipment’s operating systems, software architecture, hydraulic configurations and compatibility standards is critical to ensuring seamless integration into Ghana’s agricultural ecosystem.

The Chamber argues that without such transparency, local agribusinesses, engineers, and service providers may struggle to prepare for installation, maintenance, operator training, and after-sales support.

The centres form part of a broader government strategy to modernise agriculture, improve mechanisation access for smallholder farmers and boost productivity.

Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Anthony Morrison, said while the initiative represents a significant step toward transforming the sector, its long-term sustainability will depend on structured stakeholder engagement and technical readiness across the value chain.

“Our expectation is that agricultural colleges and farm institutes would be supported to train machinery operators and mechanics in line with the specifications of the equipment being introduced,” he stated. “At the moment, industry players do not know the operating systems of the machinery, which makes it difficult for curriculum developers and training institutions to prepare the next generation of agricultural machinists.”

He stressed that clarity on whether the equipment operates advanced hydraulic systems, four-wheel-drive configurations or proprietary digital platforms would enable local technical institutions to align training modules with industry needs.

The Chamber further noted that greater transparency would help build local capacity, reduce reliance on foreign technical support and create jobs within Ghana’s growing mechanisation services market.

It warned that without early technical disclosure, the country risks deploying high-value equipment without the ecosystem required to maintain and optimise it.

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38 year old farmer imprisoned for defiling 8-year-old girl

A 38-year-old farmer has been jailed for 18 years by the Nkawie circuit court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti region, for defiling an eight-year-old girl. 

Haruna Mohammed pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement of a child under 16 years of age and was convicted on his own plea. 

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Frank Acheampong, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mr Robert Addo that the complainant, Christiana Serwaah, a trader, and her daughter, the victim, resided in the same neighbourhood as the convict at Mpasatia in the Atwima Mponua District. 

 He said that in December 2025, the victim was admitted to the hospital on three occasions, but the actual cause of her illness was not known. 

On February 5, 2026, the victim disclosed to her sister that Haruna had sexually abused her, so the complainant was informed. 

According to the prosecution, when the complainant, together with other people, confronted the convict, he admitted and told them to take the victim to the hospital for him to pay the bill. 

A report was made to the Nkawie police, and on February 09 this year, the convict was arrested. In his caution statement he admitted the offence, and after police further investigations, he was charged.

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Establish Cashew Development Board as promised – Cashew farmers remind Prez. Mahama

Cashew farmers in Bono Region have called on the government to expedite action for the establishment of the Cashew Development Board, as promised.

They reminded President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his Election 2024 campaign promise of setting up the Board to regulate the sector, improve pricing regime that enhance the socio-economic livelihood of cashew farmers.

Mr Daniel Kofi Munufie, the Interim Chairman of Bono Cashew Farmers’ Cooperative Union, made the call, stressing that the nation’s cashew industry had huge potential for job creation, poverty reduction, and export diversification.

He was speaking at a day’s advocacy training workshop for cashew farmers at Drobo in the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono Region.

The Cashew Watch Ghana (CWG), a civil society organisation organised the workshop under the implementation of its “Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers” project, being funded by the STAR-Ghana Foundation.

Mr Munufie said the cashew sector required the board to provide strategic direction, policy coordination, and institutional support needed to transform the sector into a major economic driver.

He said the cashew sector remained one of the nation’s leading non-traditional export earners and therefore required the board to tackle the emerging challenges affecting farmers and their economic activities.

The Cashew Development Board is needed to strengthen quality control and export standards, promote local processing and value addition, as well as facilitate access to credit and farm inputs, and accelerate government interventions in cashew-growing communities

Mr Munufie mentioned unstable and low farmgate prices, limited access to affordable credit, inadequate extension services, poor road networks, exploitation by middlemen and lack of clear regulatory framework as some of the major challenges were impeding the growth of the sector.

Mr Simon Asore, the Functional Steering Committee Chairperson of CWG, advised the farmers to be formidable in engaging policymakers to demand accountability and reforms in the sector.

He said the training was at equipping them with the requisite advocacy skills for active policy engagement, negotiation, and stakeholder dialogue and to amplify their voices at the national level.

Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the National Coordinator of the CWG, reiterated their commitment to support cashew sector initiatives and to promote transparency, inclusive governance, and citizen participation in economic policy discussions.

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