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.
To appreciate the dynamics, techniques, and give accurate and informed reporting in the media space, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has engaged the media on its policies, activities, reforms, and achievements at the advent of the government.
Addressing the media on the theme: Resetting Ghana’s Fisheries Sector for Sustainability, Jobs and Blue Economy Growth, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, explained that the engagement aimed to account to the public on the activities of the ministry at the advent of this government.
Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, explaining the responsibility of the government to protect the resources responsibly and ensure that the resources continue to sustain the livelihoods and nourish generations yet to come.
“It is my duty and privilege to account to the people of Ghana for the work we have undertaken since January 2025, the reforms we have initiated, the challenges we have confronted and the direction in which we are taking the fisheries and aquaculture sector,” she said.
She underscored the ministry’s responsibility for managing the nation’s resources that belong to the people of Ghana. She stressed that the government’s duty is to protect resources responsibly and ensure they continue to sustain livelihoods and nourish generations yet to come.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Fisheries on the right and some of the Directors at the Ministry.
In response to the challenges faced by the sector, the government is poised to implement five transformational reforms to reset the fisheries sector by restoring sustainability, creating jobs, expanding aquaculture, promoting transparency, and positioning fisheries as a central pillar of Ghana’s Blue Economy.
The Five Transformational Reforms Agenda are: RESTORING GOOD GOVERNANCE Every transformational reform requires good governance. The foundation of every successful sector is good governance with the right laws, strong institutions, transparency and accountability.
According to the Minister, the remarkable achievement of this government is the passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146) that replaces the Fisheries Act of 2002.
The new Act seeks to strengthen the Fisheries Commission, establishes a dedicated Fisheries Enforcement Unit, creates a Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund, provide for aquaculture development zones, strengthen measures against Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and most importantly, extend the Inshore Exclusion Zone to twelve nautical miles to provide stronger protection for small-scale fishers and critical breeding grounds.
Transparency is critical in good governance. She expressed that to ensure good governance, the ministry has inaugurated Ghana’s Fisheries Transparency Initiative National Multi-Stakeholder Group, and continued to strengthen Ghana’s international commitments, including the implementation of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
Some of the Directors at the Ministry.
This, she mentioned, would promote openness, accountability and inclusive decision-making, eliminating harmful fishing practices, promoting responsible fisheries management and contributing to global efforts to protect marine resources.
RESTORING FISHING RESOURCES To restore the fishing resources, she opined that one of the most historic achievements of this administration has been the establishment of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area.
Following Cabinet approval, she mentioned that the Government has officially declared the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area. The protected marine area will help restore fish stocks, protect biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and secure the ecological foundation upon which coastal livelihoods depend.
She, however, expressed concern about illegal mining activities along the Cape Three Points forest area, where polluted water is flowing into the marine environment around that important ecosystem.
RESTORING TRUST THROUGH BETTER SERVICE DELIVERY Restoring trust in Ghanaians through better service delivery, one of the service delivery areas that has been responsibly managed in the fishing communities is with reference to premix fuel distribution challenges.
The shortages, delays, and the price hikes of the premix fuel are now a thing of the past for the smallholder fishers in the fishing communities, bringing restoration and confidence in the government.
For many smallholder fishers, the premix fuel is not just an operational input but a tool for sustainable livelihood and economic development.
Digitalization is key to every sector’s development and reformation; the Fisheries Ministry has digitized Ghana’s premix fuel distribution system to improve transparency and reduce opportunities for manipulation.
According to the Minister, out of 157 planned automation sites, 138 have been completed and equipped, with 74 already operational, including 24 commissioned during the first half of this year.
The National Premix Fuel Secretariat’s Premix Tracker and Dashboard now provide greater visibility across the supply chain, enabling improved monitoring, accountability and decision-making.
TRANSFORMING FISH PRODUCTION The fourth reform to reset the fisheries sector is transforming fish production. Over the decades, Ghana’s fisheries conversation has focused primarily on managing declining wild fish stocks, but the reality is that Ghana cannot conserve its way to food security.
According to statistics, Minister stressed, Ghana consumes approximately 1.2 million metric tons, yet domestic production remains a little above 700,000 tons, creating an import gap.
To close the gap, aquaculture cannot remain a secondary activity. The vision of the ministry is to build an aquaculture industry that is commercially viable, environmentally sustainable, and capable of supplying both domestic and export markets.
To achieve this, the government has launched the Komfueku– Aquaculture Project, which is transforming abandoned clay and quarry pits into productive commercial fish farms through partnerships with the private sector.
This initiative will create jobs. Increase fish production. Provide technical support. Improve market access and create sustainable income opportunities for surrounding communities.
Moreover, historically, the government has introduced offshore mariculture, and a provisional license has been issued for commercial offshore marine aquaculture.
This chapter where we responsibly harness Ghana’s marine resources while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.
BUILDING GHANA’S BLUE ECONOMY Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean, sea, and coastal resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and marine ecosystem health.
Some of the media reporters at the mid-year engagement.
To manage the ocean, sea, and coastal resources wisely enough to create wealth that benefits all Ghanaians, the government has completed the development of Ghana’s Blue Economy Strategy and has prepared a comprehensive Blue Economy Policy framework to guide its implementation. A bill is being prepared to cabinet for a law governing Ghana’s blue economy.
These frameworks would provide a roadmap for transforming Ghana’s marine and inland water resources into engines of inclusive economic growth, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
ACHIEVEMENTS/ SUCCESS SO FAR Although the government is less than two years in office, massive transformations have been made, creating opportunities for Ghanaians. Some of the achievements are; • The passage of a landmark Fisheries and Aquaculture Act. • The establishment of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area. • Improving premix fuel supply and introducing stronger accountability systems. • Expanded aquaculture development. • Opening new opportunities through offshore mariculture. • Advancing Ghana’s Blue Economy agenda. • Strengthened partnerships for investment, knowledge and innovation. • Replacing outdated systems with modern governance and many more.
The Minister commended the media for continuing cooperation to inform Ghanaians, amplify the voices of our fishing communities and hold public institutions accountable.
She concluded that these achievements are just a stepping stone to the sector’s greatness.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has pushed back against concerns over delays in the distribution of farm inputs for the 2026 farming season, insisting that the timing of deliveries is being aligned with the actual crop production cycle.
In a statement issued, the Ministry said distributing inputs too early could create risks including improper storage, diversion, and application outside the recommended period.
It explained that in northern Ghana, where the major farming season begins in May, fertiliser application typically takes place between late June and the end of July.
The Ministry therefore said that inputs for the northern farming season were distributed within the recommended application window.
For southern Ghana, however, the focus is now shifting to the minor farming season, which begins in August, with distribution to targeted areas currently underway.
As part of the intervention, the Ministry says 40,000 bags of inorganic fertiliser have been allocated to the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana for distribution to vulnerable farmers who may not have been covered under allocations channelled through Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
The intervention also extends to selected irrigation schemes, where the Ministry says it has supplied inputs to support production during the lean season.
Vegetable producers, particularly tomato farmers in targeted production areas, have also received seeds and organic fertilisers, while farmers engaged in irrigated agriculture are expected to receive additional support under the government’s dry-season production initiative.
The Ministry says the interventions are targeted at vulnerable farmers and are designed to provide an emergency cushion against high production costs while boosting output and strengthening food security.
It adds that field officers are supervising the distribution and use of the inputs to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the required support.
The Ministry is also projecting an increase in agricultural production this year, citing favourable rainfall patterns and ongoing interventions.
It says the 2026 farming season targets could even be exceeded as government works to transform agriculture from subsistence activity into a more profitable and competitive enterprise.
Ghana has secured the removal of restrictions on the importation of tomatoes from Burkina Faso and the exportation of eggs to Burkina, following engagements between officials of the two countries to strengthen bilateral trade.
The agreement was reached after a high-level Ghanaian delegation, led the Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku, and the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare held discussions with Burkina Faso authorities on Friday, July 17.
The two ministries said the outcome of the meeting provides relief for Ghanaian poultry producers and egg exporters, particularly those in the Dormaa area, whose exports had recently been affected by restrictions imposed by Burkina Faso.
Burkinabe authorities had introduced the restrictions as a precautionary measure following concerns over quality issues associated with eggs from some exporting countries.
In a press statement, the government assured the private sector that it remains committed to protecting the interests of Ghanaian traders and producers while promoting stronger trade relations with neighbouring countries.
The two countries have also agreed to establish a Joint Technical Committee to ensure smooth trade flows and promptly address any challenges that may arise.
Additionally, Ghana and Burkina Faso are expected to work towards a Bilateral Trade Agreement aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, reducing trade barriers and improving market access for goods and services.
The engagement also covered Ghana’s participation in this year’s International Arts and Crafts Trade Fair (SIAO) in Burkina Faso. The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry informed Burkina Faso authorities that Ghana would present a high-level delegation to showcase locally made products and services.
Ghana’s exports to Burkina Faso have been on an upward trend, increasing from US$573 million in 2024 to US$637 million in 2025, according to the Ministry.
The Ghanaian delegation included Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, HE Sem Kenneth Akibate, officials from the Embassy, technical representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and members of the private sector, including representatives of egg exporters.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that trade between them remains uninterrupted and beneficial to traders, producers and consumers on both sides.
The West Africa Centre for Agribusiness and Apiculture Development (WACAAD), with funding support from the European Union, has organised the inaugural Ghana Forum for Beekeeping and Biodiversity Initiative (GhaFBBI) – the country’s first national conference dedicated to advancing the growth of Ghana’s apiculture sector.
The pioneering initiative aims to establish a credible, enforceable quality and safety framework for Ghana’s honey industry, strengthening traceability, improving production standards and positioning Ghana’s honey for international markets.
The GhaFBBI programme included the official inauguration of “Ghana HiveHoney”, the country’s first beekeeping-sector Collective Mark. As a nationally recognised symbol of safe, traceable and sustainably produced honey, the Collective Mark is expected to support the development of export-ready value chains, promote industry-wide standards and codes of practice, and prepare as well as enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s honey in regional and international markets.
“Even if we are already the largest export market in the world, the European Union is committed to expanding trade with Ghana. Through this collaboration, we are supporting traceability and sustainability efforts that help Ghanaian products, including honey, meet EU market requirements. This opens new export opportunities, creates jobs, and strengthens the private sector,” stated EU Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Rune Skinnebach.
“This initiative is a giant stride in our ambition to place verifiably safe, traceable Ghanaian honey on shelves at home and abroad. Together with the EU and our partners, WACAAD is building a sector defined by integrity, sustainability and opportunities,” added Dr John Kojo Ahiakpa, Chief Executive Officer of the West Africa Centre for Agribusiness and Apiculture.
The GhaFBBI programme is organised in collaboration with key government institutions including the Ghana Standards Authority, the Food and Drugs |, Authority, the Veterinary Services Directorate, the Animal Production Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Forestry Commission.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has received a Nissan Pickup, a tractor with implements, and 20 motorbikes from EEZZY Group Foundation to support the hardworking farmers.
The donation, marked by a ceremony, was attended by the Directors of the Ministry and many stakeholders.
Delivering the opening remarks at the ceremony, the Chairman for the 42nd National Farmers’ Day Planning Committee, who doubles as the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. John Dumelo, expressed his gratitude to EEZZY Group Foundation for its generosity to the farmers.
“Your generous donation is a strong demonstration of your company’s commitment to agriculture and to recognising the invaluable contribution of Ghanaian farmers to food security, employment and national development,” he added.
He expressed that the prizes are the productive assets to expand farmers’ operations, improve their efficiency, and inspire other farmers to strive for greater achievement.
Hon. John Dumelo, the Chairman of the National Farmers’ Day Planning Committee, delivered a speech at the EEZZY Group Foundation’s donation ceremony
He extolled EEZZY Group for the kind gesture and the support to the farmers.
The Chief Executive Officer of the EEZZY Group Foundation, Mohammed Raii, acknowledged agriculture as the backbone of national development and assured the company’s commitment to supporting the sector.
He praised President John Dramani Mahama for prioritizing agriculture for national development. “I have never seen a leader who thinks more about the future of this great country than President John Dramani Mahama. His commitment to agriculture and national development is inspiring, and we are honoured to support this vision,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of the EEZZY Group Foundation, Mohammed Raii, stated that supporting Ghana’s agriculture means supporting every Ghanaian family, and without agriculture, there is no nation and no future.
According to him, supporting Ghana’s agriculture means supporting every Ghanaian family, and without agriculture, there is no nation and no future.
He reassured the company’s readiness to continue partnering with the government on initiatives that improve livelihoods and promote sustainable national development.
Hon. Minister Eric Opoku, receiving the donation on behalf of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, expressed profound gratitude to EEZZY Group, demonstrating exemplary corporate citizenship through their generous support.
Hon. Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture commending EEZZY Group’s remarkable contribution that reflects genuine commitment to Ghana’s farmers.
Minister expressed that the EEZZY Group’s donation would enhance the value of this year’s awards and contribute directly to improving agricultural productivity.
He declared that the overall national best farmer winner will receive an extraordinary package prize comprising;
GHS1.2 million cash prize
A brand-new Nissan pickup vehicle from EEZZY Group
A brand-new tractor with complete implements from EEZZY Group
Modern farm inputs
Hon. Eric Opoku described the support as one of the biggest corporate contributions towards the 42nd National Farmers’ Day Celebration.
“This is a remarkable contribution that reflects genuine commitment to Ghana’s farmers. We are deeply grateful to EEZZY Group for partnering with the government to honour those who feed our nation,” the Minister added.
He stressed that with the combined support of the government, corporate institutions and the general public, the celebration aims not only to recognize the outstanding farmers but also to inspire greater investment in agriculture, strengthen food security and accelerate economic transformation.
Hon. Minister Eric Opoku, receiving motorbikes from the EEZZY Group Foundation to enhance farmers’ activities.
He declared that the Chairman of the National Farmers’ Day Planning Committee, John Dumelo, will soon announce the official bank account details to enable individuals and organizations that want to contribute privately to do so.
He assured that at the end of the fundraising, the Ministry will publicly account for all the donations received privately.
Minister called on all the agencies and corporate institutions to contribute their quota to the recognition of the gallant farmers who toil to feed the nation.
The 3Trees Ghana Paintings is sponsoring the renovation of the national headquarters of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture with an estimated amount of GHS1,068,455 to mark the National Farmers’ Day.
During the official ceremony of the painting at the Ministry’s headquarters, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, lauded 3Trees Ghana Paintings for such a wonderful initiative to renovate and restore the office by painting the entire building at no cost to the ministry.
Minister commended 3Trees for the laudable initiative, “Brightening Ghana Agenda,” which aims to paint government institutions to rehabilitate old structures and modernize facilities in Ghana.
Hon. Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, exercising his painting skills as 3Trees Ghana Paintings, sponsored the rehabilitation of the office.
He explained that this kind gesture is to encourage the farmers to enhance production and reduce food prices as the farmers’ headquarters is uplifted to its initial stage.
He stressed that the farmers’ day celebration slated for 4th December 2026 at Bono Region is to appreciate and reward the hardworking farmers who work day and night to sustain Ghana’s food security.
He therefore called on stakeholders, institutions, donor partners, and the general public to follow suit and contribute to the celebration by donating to ensure its success.
He assured the 3Trees of effective collaboration to enhance their activities for the goodwill of farmers and Ghanaians.
Violent Lin, the Sales Director of 3Trees Ghana Paintings Limited, extolled the agric ministry for being one of the best ministries under the government’s administration.
As China’s top brand of paintings in Ghana, 3Trees is committed to giving more services to enhance the upliftment of Ghana’s institutions through the Brightening Ghana Initiative.
Ghana has been selected to host the 2026 African Cashew Alliance (ACA) Annual Cashew Conference and Expo, marking the second time the country will stage the continent’s flagship cashew industry gathering after previously hosting the event in 2013.
The Conference, scheduled for September 15–18, 2026, will take place at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra under the theme, “Sustainable Cashew Supply through Policy, Investment and Partnership.”
Organised by the African Cashew Alliance in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Tree Crops Development Authority, the event is being supported by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the GIZ/MOVE Project.
In a press statement signed by Isaac Piyuori, in charge of media relations at ACA, more than 600 local and international participants from over 30 countries are expected to attend the four-day conference, which will bring together stakeholders across the cashew value chain, including producers, processors, traders, exporters, buyers, policymakers, development partners, financial institutions, researchers and service providers.
The Conference is expected to provide a platform for discussions on key issues shaping the future of Africa’s cashew industry while creating opportunities for investment, trade and strategic partnerships.
Speaking ahead of the event, President of the ACA Board of Directors, Ibrahim Sanfo, described Ghana’s hosting of the Conference as an opportunity to showcase the country’s progress in the cashew sector.
“The Conference in Ghana presents a unique opportunity to showcase the significant progress made in the country’s cashew sector, attract new investments, promote local processing and value addition, while reinforcing Ghana’s leadership role in Africa’s cashew industry,” he said.
According to the organisers, the 2026 theme reflects growing concerns over ensuring a sustainable and reliable supply of cashew to meet increasing global demand amid changing market and production dynamics.
The Conference will therefore focus on practical approaches to strengthening policy support, increasing public and private sector investment across the value chain, and fostering stronger collaboration among industry stakeholders.
Mr. Sanfo stressed that the industry’s long-term competitiveness will depend on collective action.
“The long-term sustainability of the cashew industry depends on deliberate actions by all stakeholders. Through supportive policies, increased investments across the value chain and stronger partnerships, we can build a resilient, globally competitive and sustainable African cashew industry capable of meeting increasing global demand while improving livelihoods and creating shared prosperity,” he said.
The programme will feature presentations, high-level panel discussions, technical workshops, thematic forums and information sessions led by industry experts and practitioners.
Key discussions will focus on production sustainability, financing and investment opportunities, policy and regulatory frameworks, market trends, value addition, quality and food safety standards, climate resilience and strategic partnerships.
The event will also facilitate business-to-business (B2B) meetings aimed at fostering new commercial relationships and strengthening existing partnerships across the global cashew industry.
In addition, the ACA Expo will showcase cashew products, technologies, innovations and services from organisations operating across the international cashew value chain, providing exhibitors with opportunities to engage prospective investors, buyers and partners.
About the African Cashew Alliance
The African Cashew Alliance was established in 2006 as an association of African and international businesses committed to promoting a globally competitive African cashew industry. Today, ACA members represent all segments of the cashew value chain, including producers, processors, traders, exporters and international buyers.
Achieving youth-inclusive agrifood systems requires expanding economic opportunities, equipping young people with the necessary skills and resources, including access to quality education and training, and facilitating their access to productive resources.
Ghana’s agrifood systems present significant opportunities for economic transformation, particularly through increased participation of young people and women. However, despite growing interest in agribusiness, youth engagement remains constrained by structural barriers, including limited access to regional markets, inadequate knowledge of cross-border trade processes, and weak coordination between policy frameworks and implementing institutions.
It has become evident that young people need agrifood systems just as much as agrifood systems need young people. According to the FAO report, The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems outcomes: Strengthening the Evidence for Youth-Inclusive Agrifood Systems, involving young people in policymaking and safeguarding their future within agrifood systems can generate significant gains.
Anthony Aidoo, WFF Ghana Chapter Steering Committee, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, WFF Ghana Chapter National Lead, with Dr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General, Janetta Carlucci, FAO Regional Youth Specialist, Jung-hyun Kim, FAO Regional Partnership Specialist, and Caesar Vulley, FAO Youth Employment Social Policy Officer, at the FAO Regional Office in Accra
Although youth employment in agrifood systems has declined over time because of reduced agricultural employment, youth inclusivity within Ghana’s agricultural sector, agribusiness, and the broader agrifood system is steadily gaining momentum as stakeholders and policymakers intensify efforts to empower young people and position them at the center of agricultural transformation.
In line with efforts to increase youth participation and inclusivity, AGRA and FAO organized a National Youth Dialogue, focusing on strengthening youth participation in agribusiness through the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS) and the Youth in Agrifood Systems Performance Index (YAPI) pillars.
A key outcome of the dialogue was the call by Member of Parliament of Wa East Constituency and Chairman of Parliamentary Select Committee on Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, for young people to come together to establish a nationwide youth-led movement that would serve as a strong advocacy platform for youth inclusion in agricultural policy development and implementation, by recognizing and highlighting the needs of young people and encouraging their participation in policy, regional and continental market trade.
The Ghana Chapter of the World Food Forum is fully aligned with this call, as the goal for which the FAO initiated the World Food Forum is to drive a nationwide youth movement in agrifood systems.
The Chapter’s active participation in the National Youth Dialogue has further strengthened its position to lead and drive this call for a unified youth-led movement that speaks with one voice.
The World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action Initiative is a global platform for youth engagement that brings together young people from around the world to drive action for more sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Through a growing network spanning 62 countries and reaching tens of thousands of young people, the WFF Youth Initiative supports youth-led action and empowers the next generation of change-makers to contribute to agrifood system transformation.
Stationed within the Office of Youth and Women (OYW) at FAO headquarters in Rome, the WFF serves as a dynamic platform that empowers young people to transform agrifood systems for a better food future through its five thematic programmes: Youth Assembly, Youth Innovation Lab, Youth Education, Youth Culture and Local Youth Action.
WFF Ghana Chapter Founding Members, Anthony, Alberta, and Phillipa Mensah.
The Ghana Chapter of the World Food Forum (WFF) was established in Ghana in 2024. The Chapter is steadily growing and positioning itself as one of the strongest youth-led agrifood systems movements in Ghana by harnessing the innovative capacities of Ghanaian youth across all 16 regions to identify grassroots solutions and inspire positive action for the country’s agrifood systems.
Guided by and aligned with the principles of the World Food Forum Office of Youth and Women in Rome, which serves as a leading youth platform for global food governance and a think tank promoting youth-led solutions in science, innovation, technology, culture and advocacy, the Ghana Chapter is leading conversations and connecting young people through strategic local, national and global activities.
With a growing membership, the Ghana Chapter has over the years undertaken and continues to implement projects and activities across the regions through its well-established Regional Focal Representatives and working groups.
The World Food Forum Ghana Chapter currently has Regional Focal Representatives in 11 of Ghana’s 16 regions, namely the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Western North, Volta, Oti, Bono East, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Bono and Central regions.
These representatives coordinate regional activities, engage young people, facilitate partnerships and support the implementation of the Chapter’s programmes at the local level.
The Ghana Chapter has also established working groups within its structure to drive youth-focused programmes. These include the Research, Innovation and Culture Working Group; the Social Protection and Women Inclusion Working Group; the Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship Working Group; the Health and Nutrition Working Group; and the Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture Working Group.
In the coming months, additional working groups will be introduced to focus on Agronomy, Horticulture and Mechanization, Forestry and Wildlife, Agroforestry, and Carbon Markets.
The working groups comprise dedicated members who lead discussions and initiatives within their respective focused areas.
Sitting at the helm of the affairs and operations of the Ghana Chapter of the World Food Forum is the National Steering Committee, led by the Steering Committee Chair, the National Lead, the Projects Lead and the Social Protection Lead.
All four Steering Committee members are part of the founding members of the Chapter in Ghana, spearheading and overseeing its activities to ensure the smooth implementation of the Chapter’s youth-centered policies while advocating for greater youth inclusion and creating awareness of the need to ensure that no one is left behind.
The founding members and leadership of the Ghana Chapter include Anthony Aidoo, Founder and Steering Committee Chair; Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Co-founder and National Lead; Philipa Mensah, Founding Member and Social Protection Lead; and Elliot Mensah, Founding Member and Research and Education Lead.
Beyond driving the youth inclusion agenda in Ghana, the Steering Committee has had the privilege of representing the Ghana Chapter on global platforms to champion youth action, with the strong support and backing of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Among the key international events in which the Chapter participated was the historic 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34), where, for the first time in the Conference’s history, young people from across Africa were officially represented. The WFF Africa Chapters actively engaged over 489 participants including Ministers responsible for Food and Agriculture from the 51 African member countries, demonstrating FAO’s commitment and deliberate efforts to promote meaningful youth inclusion and accountability in agrifood systems.
Group picture of policy makers, stakeholders, at the 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34)
In 2025, the Ghana Chapter, together with FAO, took center stage to present the Status of Youth in Agrifood Systemsoutcome report at the Africa Food Systems event in Senegal. FAO’s intentional approach to advancing youth inclusion through the World Food Forum Chapters across the globe remains one of the most practical models for securing the future of food systems.
The Ghana Chapter has also participated in the annual World Food Forum flagship event in Rome with support from FAO. Held every October, the flagship event brings together more than 20,000 young people from around the world to exchange ideas, share innovations and develop practical solutions for transforming agrifood systems.
FAO is demonstrating in practical terms that young people can be active participants at every stage of the food and agricultural value chain through the World Food Forum Chapters. We therefore encourage young people across Ghana to come on board and join the World Food Forum Ghana Chapter.
The call by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food and Agriculture, Dr. Jasaw, for Ghana to champion an inclusive youth-led agrifood systems movement resonates strongly with the vision of the World Food Forum Ghana Chapter. In the coming months, the Chapter will engage the various Parliamentary Select Committees to further strengthen collaboration and develop pathways for aligning our activities with national policy priorities.
WFF Ghana Chapter with Accra Academy students on International Youth Day
Currently, the Ghana Chapter of the World Food Forum has over 800 members spread across all 16 regions of Ghana. Our immediate focus is to strengthen this growing membership base by investing in more localized and practical approaches that keep members actively engaged through innovative initiatives and programmes.
Earlier this year, the Chapter held its Second Annual Youth Assembly, bringing together members, Regional Focal Representatives and Working Groups to review progress, assess achievements and develop strategies that will shape the Chapter’s future conversations, programmes and activities.
The Chapter has also organized several key activities across the country, including the Traditional Market Women and Traders’ Symposium at Agbogbloshie, which brought together more than 150 traders to engage with young people on strengthening agrifood systems and addressing critical barriers affecting local food markets.
WFF Ghana Chapter National Steering Committee with some women traders in Accra
As part of the International Youth Day celebrations, the World Food Forum (WFF) Ghana Chapter engaged more than 500 students at Accra Academy Senior High School, inspiring and equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to transform Ghana’s agrifood sector while encouraging them to contribute actively to food security and sustainability.
Through a Farmers’ Symposium held at Fumso Ketewa in the Adansi Asokwa District of the Ashanti Region, the Chapter also took a bold step in demonstrating that agriculture can be profitable when managed as a business. The symposium brought together 73 participants from surrounding rural communities.
The Chapter also organized a major women empowerment and youth-led dialogue at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR). Titled, “What It Takes to Empower the Young Ghanaian Woman in Agrifood Systems Through Youth-Led Actions,” the event attracted 150 participants, including students, early-stage agripreneurs and young professionals, to amplify the voices of young women in agrifood systems transformation.
The Chapter also partnered with the FAO Country Office in Accra to host a fisheries and livestock event promoting local production in the Volta Region.
The Ghana Chapter has further partnered with key organizations, including the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Agrihouse Foundation, to host Ghana Poultry Day, an annual event that brings together stakeholders across the poultry value chain to develop and recommend measures for promoting local poultry production and consumption.
In line with the recognition of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the World Food Forum Ghana Chapter has once again partnered with Agrihouse Foundation and Agriwatch GH News Portal to produce a documentary series highlighting and celebrating the outstanding contributions of women farmers, including women farmers with disabilities, to the development and sustainability of Ghana’s agrifood system. The documentary is currently shown weekly as docu-series on prominent media outlets’ online pages ad websites including Ghana News Agency (GNA), Asaase 99.5 FM, Asaasepa 107.3 FM, Agriwatch GH, and Business and Financial Times (BFT).
The Chapter is also implementing a school farm project, beginning with Accra Girls Senior High School, as part of the AgriXperience School Project to enhance food production and availability in Senior High Schools.
Members of the World Food Forum Ghana Chapter enjoy numerous opportunities, including networking with industry leaders and fellow young professionals; access to valuable resources, information and learning materials; participation in national and international events and conferences; leadership development opportunities; professional and organizational growth; increased visibility and recognition; training, mentorship and capacity-building programmes; as well as access to strategic partnerships and collaborative opportunities.
The World Food Forum Ghana Chapter welcomes all young people, students, agripreneurs, researchers, development practitioners and stakeholders who are young at heart and passionate about transforming Ghana’s agrifood system to join this growing youth-led movement.
Hand in hand, we can strengthen youth participation, influence policy, promote innovation and build a sustainable food future for Ghana, ensuring no one is left behind.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), in partnership with Jolly Homes, an estate development firm, are to redevelop the Amranhia Dam into a multipurpose functional dam.
The Dam, which takes its source from the Aburi mountains, serves as a source of irrigation for the smallholder farmers, ranchers, and the aquaculture sector in the enclave.
Due to the encroachment on the dam banks and the activities of the sand mining near the dam, it has become difficult for the dam to serve its intended purpose.
To avert further deterioration of the dam and make it useful for irrigational, aquaculture and recreational purposes, a delegation was sent by the Minister from the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority’s monitoring and evaluation team, the media and Jolly Homes to tour the dam site to assess the waning condition of the dam.
During the dam tour, the Head of Department for the Adenta Municipality of Agriculture, Rosemond Adjeoda extolled the Minister to redevelop the dam.
According to her, the dam provides clean water for both agricultural and aquaculture purposes, particularly to the vegetable farmers.
A beneficiary smallholder farmer is preparing his farmland to cultivate near the dam.
“This water is very clean, and it’s been used by the vegetable growers at this enclave. At other places, they use wastewater from places which make the food crops repugnant; however, it is incredible for the Minister to redevelop this dam for us”, she added.
She underscored the significance of the dam to the cannery factory as the only source of water the factory uses.
The Deputy Director in charge of Scheme Oversight of GIDA, Joseph Nartey, explained that the team is to monitor and evaluate the dam to complement the survey, engineering works, and designs that have been established earlier.
The Deputy Director in charge of Scheme Oversight of GIDA, Joseph Nartey, explained the actual work that needs to be done at the dam site.
Giving the actual work that needs to be done at the dam site, he said, dredging the dam to restore its depth and improve water storage capacity, making it effective for irrigation, aquaculture, and recreation.
He cautioned the encroachers on the dam, especially those who had built upstream, to evacuate since the buildings would be demolished during the redevelopment of the dam.
He assured of ceasing the operations of sand winning and gravel excavators that have caused debris and mud to accumulate in the dam.
He refuted a circulated publication by some of the social media houses indicating an encroachment of the dam by an estate developer.
“From the site plan, the estate is not sitting in the dam. What we saw was that part of the estate’s land is within the catchment area and, per the agreement, is using that catchment as a swimming pool, but not to build houses”, he refuted the claim.
He commended Jolly Homes for financially supporting the redevelopment of the dam to serve irrigational, aquaculture, and recreational purposes.
Emmanuel Osei Amankra, the Operations Manager of Jolly Homes, added that the viral images shared online had been edited to create a misleading impression, inciting the homes sitting in the waterways; however, the actual condition on the ground is different.
“We all know the issues of flooding that have befallen this country, and as a result, a lot of people are agitated, including myself, because we don’t want to block waterways or whatsoever. However, people have taken advantage of this issue and misrepresented things. Unfortunately, Jolly Homes became a victim of that. Someone took shots of this place, edited it, and posted it on social media for it to sound as if we are sitting on a waterway; that is not the issue”, he lamented.
He stated that the company has no intention of encroaching on the waterways; rather, it intends to partner with the government to redevelop the dam for the benefit of commuters.
He urged the public to debunk the misleading pictorial publication that tends to tarnish the image of the company.
As a financial partners, he said the total amount for the project and the project timeline cannot be disclosed since detailed engineering and design works are still ongoing.
The Federal Government will next Tuesday host Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in Abuja for a landmark summit where the four countries will launch a historic alliance to end decades of exporting raw cocoa beans and begin negotiating with global markets as a united bloc.
The four countries, which together account for about two-thirds of global cocoa production, are expected to sign the Abuja Declaration at the Cocoa Value Addition Summit 2026 in Abuja, establishing a Cocoa Value Addition Alliance to coordinate policies, promote local processing, harmonise standards and strengthen Africa’s bargaining power in the global cocoa industry.
Nigeria will also sign a separate Cocoa Value Addition Accord, a national compact that will bring together the federal government, governors of cocoa-producing states, farmer organisations, industry groups, researchers and development finance institutions to deliver measurable improvements in cocoa processing, farmer incomes and investment.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Assistant, Media Office of the Minister of State for Industry, Odenke Ibiang in Abuja.
According to the statement, the summit, themed “From Bean to Brand,” represents a turning point for Africa’s cocoa industry as producing countries seek to retain more value from the commodity instead of exporting raw beans for processing abroad.
The statement read, “The countries that grow most of the world’s cocoa will gather in Abuja on Tuesday to declare that the century of exporting raw beans is over.
“At the Cocoa Value Addition Summit 2026, convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the theme From Bean to Brand, delegations of Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria will sign the Abuja Declaration, establishing a Cocoa Value Addition Alliance through which the four nations, the source of some two thirds of global cocoa production, will negotiate, set standards and engage world markets as one bloc.”
Speaking ahead of the summit, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, said African cocoa-producing countries were determined to change a century-old trade model that has left producing nations with little economic value despite supplying most of the world’s cocoa.
“For a hundred years, Africa has sent its cocoa to the world in sacks and received it back in wrappers, paying at both ends of the transaction,” said Senator John Owan Enoh, Honourable Minister of State for Industry, who will host the Summit.
“The distance between a bean and a brand is measured in jobs and in dignity, and on Tuesday, in Abuja, four nations begin closing that distance together. We do not gather to lament the market. We gather to redesign our place in it,” he added.
The minister, who is also a cocoa farmer from Cross River State, is expected to deliver the keynote address during the summit.
According to the organisers, the newly proposed alliance will enable the four countries to negotiate collectively with international buyers, coordinate industry standards and adopt common positions on issues affecting the global cocoa trade.
One of the immediate priorities of the alliance will be the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which comes into effect for large and medium-sized operators on December 30, 2026.
Under the regulation, cocoa exported into the European Union must be fully traceable to individual farms, with proof that production did not contribute to deforestation.
The alliance is expected to adopt a unified position calling for recognition of national traceability systems while insisting that the cost of compliance should not be transferred to smallholder farmers.
The statement noted that the summit comes at a particularly volatile period for the global cocoa industry, with international prices fluctuating sharply over the past 18 months.
It observed that global cocoa prices surged to record highs above $11,000 per tonne before falling to about $3,000 per tonne and later recovering to around $5,000 per tonne, creating uncertainty for producers and exposing farmers to severe income fluctuations.
As part of Nigeria’s commitments, the Cocoa Value Addition Accord will establish measurable targets for expanding domestic cocoa processing, increasing farmers’ earnings, attracting new investments and strengthening the country’s cocoa value chain.
Implementation of the agreement will be supervised by a delivery council chaired by the Minister of State for Industry, while progress reports will be published annually to ensure transparency and accountability.
The summit will also feature goodwill messages from the Ghana Cocoa Board and Côte d’Ivoire’s Le Conseil du Café-Cacao.
A special financing session involving the Bank of Industry, the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending and other development finance institutions is also expected to produce major financing announcements for the cocoa industry.
Participants will equally receive updates on the construction of what is expected to become Nigeria’s largest cocoa processing facility, a 70,000-metric-tonne processing plant being developed by Sunbeth Global Concepts in Sagamu, Ogun State, which is scheduled for commissioning in 2027.
The Cocoa Value Addition Summit 2026 is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment through the Office of the Minister of State for Industry, with the Bank of Industry serving as co-convener.
The statement added that the event forms part of the implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Policy under the Tinubu administration, which identifies agro-industrial value addition as a key strategy for economic diversification, industrialisation, export expansion and job creation.
Nigeria is the world’s fourth-largest cocoa producer after Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia, while Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana together account for more than half of global production.
Despite producing most of the world’s cocoa beans, African countries earn only a fraction of the value generated by the global chocolate industry because the bulk of processing, manufacturing and branding takes place in Europe and other developed economies.
The proposed Cocoa Value Addition Alliance is expected to reverse that trend by encouraging greater local processing, expanding manufacturing capacity, improving farmers’ incomes and increasing Africa’s share of the global cocoa value chain.
