The government of the Republic of Ghana has allocated an amount of GH¢1.5 billion to the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA).
In a budget presentation to Parliament on March 11, 2025, the Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to boosting the agricultural sector as a key driver of economic growth.
He emphasized that this allocation is aimed at enhancing productivity, improving food security, and creating employment opportunities within the sector.
The GH¢1.5 billion investment is expected to support various agricultural programs, including modernization initiatives, irrigation projects, access to credit for farmers, and the promotion of agribusiness.
The government believes that a thriving agricultural sector will contribute significantly to Ghana’s overall economic transformation, ensuring sustainable growth and development.
This move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the agricultural value chain, increase exports, and reduce the nation’s dependency on food imports.
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) is pushing for the prioritization of agriculture policies to reduce the country’s $2 billion annual food import bill.
The Association argues that Ghana has the capacity to produce these food items locally but needs greater support in mechanized farming, all-year-round agriculture instead of rain-fed systems, and subsidies on agricultural inputs.
Acting Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Bismark Nortey, speaking to Citi Business News on the need for urgent policy interventions to transform the sector said, “Currently, one of the major causes of high cost of food is the fact that we are spending so much on production.
“We are spending so much on cost of input and agricultural services. These are because these things are so high. If the government can find a mechanism to either subsidize or reduce the prices of these inputs, then we can produce at low cost and that will translate into high productivity.
“If you go to a lot of farming districts they have no access to mechanization so we are still using the hoe and cutlass which is not helping.
“If we are able invest in agriculture-we are able to invest in small holder farming and infrastructure, I am sure the kind of monies that we spend on importing the food we have the capacity to produce…we are one step away from reducing our dependence on that food import,” he added.
GHANA’S AGRO-INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS NOW: As Ghana marks 68 years of independence, the nation stands at a crossroads. Our agricultural sector—the bedrock of our economy, culture, and identity—holds the key to unlocking a future of prosperity, self-sufficiency, and global relevance.
This milestone is a moment to honour the farmers, processors, innovators, policymakers, and value chain actors who feed our nation and drive rural economies while observing the untapped potential of our nation’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors.
Today, due to decades of underinvestment, climate shocks, and reliance on imports have eroded this legacy Ghana spends over $7 billion annually on food imports, including staples like rice, sugar, fish, meat, poultry, fruit juice, fresh tomatoes, processed tomatoes, onion, and vegetable oils, while smallholder farmers grapple with low productivity, fragmented landholdings, and post-harvest losses exceeding 30%. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, threatening the livelihoods of millions.
Yet, it is also a time to reflect on the urgent need for a truly FOOD independent Ghana—one that is self-sufficient, productive, and globally competitive in agriculture.
On this special occasion we celebrate the resilience of Ghanaian farmers, agripreneurs, and value chain actors while aligning with the government’s visionary policies: Agriculture for Economic Transformation, the 24-Hour Economy, and the Feed Ghana Project.
TRUE INDEPENDENCE DEMANDS LIBERATION FROM SYSTEMIC DEPENDENCIES THAT UNDERMINE OUR PROGRESS
Independence from the Huge Food Importation Bill. Ghana spends over $7 billion annually on agriculture inputs, food, equipment and machinery imports, including staples like rice, poultry, and tomato paste. This drains foreign exchange, weakens the cedi, and exposes us to global price shocks. We must prioritize local production of these commodities through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanization, and post-harvest infrastructure.
Independence from Reliance on Imported Food Commodities. Why import what we can grow? Ghana’s fertile lands and favourable climate can produce diverse crops, from cereals to horticultural products. Strengthening partnerships between farmers, aggregators, and agro-processors will ensure Ghanaian staples dominate local markets and beyond.
Independence from Imported Agro-Inputs and Machinery. Over 60% of fertilizers, seeds, and machinery are imported, increasing costs for farmers. Investing in local agro-input manufacturing, bio-fertilizer innovation, and seed breeding programs will reduce dependency and keep resources within Ghana’s economy.
Independence from Imported Agro-Skills. Technical expertise in agronomy, agri-tech, and mechanization should be homegrown. We urge the government and private sector to expand agricultural training institutions, vocational programs, and digital literacy initiatives tailored to modern farming.
5.Independence from Low Productivity. Average crop yields in Ghana remain below regional benchmarks due to fragmented landholdings, climate vulnerabilities, and limited tech adoption. Scaling up climate-smart practices, precision agriculture, and farmer-led extension services is non-negotiable.
The government’s renewed focus on agriculture through its Agriculture for Economic Transformation Policy, 24-Hour Economy Agenda, and Feed Ghana Project signals a critical shift.
Transform subsistence farming into a modern, industrialized sector (Agriculture for Economic Transformation).
Maximize productivity through round-the-clock Agro-processing and logistics (24-Hour Economy).
Engage stakeholders in participatory governance to refine policies (Feed Ghana Project).
This trifecta of policies underscores a bold vision to position Ghana as a self-reliant Agro-industrial powerhouse within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and global markets.
The Chamber wishes to propose some Policy Integration and pathways to Food Sovereignty and Industrialization. · The Agriculture for Economic Transformation must build a resilient Agro-Industrial base and adopt policy prioritization of value chain development in rice, fruits, cassava, maize, soy, fish, poultry, and horticulture—sectors where Ghana’s import dependency is stark.
· Climate-Smart Investment by scaling irrigation projects (e.g., Pwalugu Dam) and drought-resistant seed adoption to mitigate climate risks.
· Value Addition – Establishing Agro-processing clusters in all regions to convert raw produce into high-value exports.
· Mechanization through the deployment of subsidized machinery for land preparation, harvesting, and processing to reduce labor bottlenecks.
· Provide tax incentives for local Agro-processors to compete with imports.
· 24-Hour Economy through revolutionizing Agro-Productivity with economic models will eliminate inefficiencies in commercial Agro-production, industrial Agro-processing, storage, and logistics by enabling round-the-clock operations.
· We urge the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drug Authority to fast-track 24-hour certification for export-ready factories.
Vision to Action We edge the government to prioritize Ghana’s Agro-Infrastructure development and transform the rural Agro economy into Ghana’s economic hub. Allocate 20% of the National budget to agriculture, focusing on strategic Agro industries development, Agro special economic zones, rural roads, ports, and renewable energy grids. Enforce Strategic Tariffs impose levies on imported rice, poultry, and tomato paste to protect local industries, as done by Nigeria and India.
The government must provide incentive packages for the private sector to invest in 24/7 processing Hubs. Strategic promotion of Agribusiness public-private Partnership at the districts to build resilient Agro-processing cottage industries like fruits, cashew, shea, and cocoa butter factories near farms. Adopting Circular Economy Models to convert Agro-waste into biofuels, livestock feed, and organic fertilizers to reduce costs and imports.
Strengthen and transform agriculture and Agro-industry technical skills and upgrade agricultural colleges to offer certifications in artificial intelligence and robotics, food engineering, food safety, quality control and export compliance.
Ghanaians must intentionally patronize Local Food, Day and Night choose Ghanaian-made rice, oils, and poultry to sustain demand for 24-hour Agro-businesses.
Today we Celebrate Agri-Heroes, we amplify success stories of agripreneurs and farmers driving change and unified march towards Ghana`s Agro-Independence.
Ghana’s 68th Independence Anniversary is a rallying cry for a Green Industrial Revolution. The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana commends the government’s policies but urges accelerated implementation of the vision.
By 2030, replace 70% of food imports with Ghanaian-grown staples. By 2035, position Ghana as Africa’s leading exporter of processed cocoa, cashew, and horticultural products. By 2040, eradicate farmer poverty through inclusive value chains and 24-hour agro-industries.
The Agriculture for Economic Transformation, 24-Hour Economy, and the Feed Ghana Project must not mere slogans—they must be lifelines to a future where Ghana feeds itself, employs its youth, and trades on its terms. As the African proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
Together, we transform Ghana into a net exporter of food, skills, and Agro technology.
Let this Independence Day ignite a renewed commitment to a self-reliant, prosperous, and globally respected agricultural sector.
LET’S PLANT THE SEEDS OF GHANA’S AGRI-FOOD-INDEPENDENCE TODAY
THE SEED OF GHANA’S GREATNESS LIES IN OUR SOIL. LET US CULTIVATE IT WITH UNITY, INNOVATION, AND UNWAVERING RESOLVE.”
OUR SOIL IS OUR GOLD. LET’S MINE IT WITH PRIDE, INNOVATION, AND UNITY.
The President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector, describing it as the backbone of economic independence and job creation.
He urged young Ghanaians to embrace agribusiness, stressing that boosting local food production is crucial to reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
Speaking at the Independence Day celebration on March 6, 2025, Mr Mahama said agriculture presents Ghana’s greatest opportunity for self-sufficiency.
“With over $2 billion spent annually on food imports, we cannot afford to neglect agriculture. We must grow what we eat, process what we produce, and export more than we import,” he stated.
To achieve this, he announced that his administration’s AgriNext Programme will equip 30,000 young Ghanaians with land, training, and agribusiness opportunities. The initiative aims to modernise farming and attract more youth into the sector.
Mr Mahama also revealed plans to establish Farmer Service Centres in every district, providing farmers with mechanised services, quality seeds, fertilisers, and modern equipment to boost food production.
“Our farmers need the right support to thrive. These centres will remove obstacles to productivity and improve yields,” he said.
He further noted that strengthening local agribusiness is necessary to cut Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry, rice, and other staples.
He cited the Farm-to-Table Poultry Initiative, which seeks to reduce Ghana’s 95% reliance on imported poultry by promoting domestic production and processing.
Mr Mahama called on young people to see agriculture as a viable business and take advantage of government initiatives aimed at making the sector profitable.
“Farming is no longer a last resort, it is a business that can create wealth and drive national development. It is time to modernise agriculture and build a Ghana that can feed itself,” he said.
He assured Ghanaians that his administration would continue investing in agriculture, food security, and rural development, arguing that economic transformation cannot happen without a strong agricultural base.
“Our prosperity depends on this. If our forebears achieved so much with so little, we must do even more with the resources available to us today,” Mr Mahama added.
The government is renewing efforts to strengthen Ghana’s poultry industry as part of a broader plan to reduce the country’s over $300 million annual expenditure on imported chicken, says Isaac Adongo, Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central and a board member of the Bank of Ghana.
Speaking on GHOne TV on Monday, March 3 2025, Mr Adongo described Ghana’s dependence on imported frozen chicken as a major drain on foreign exchange, arguing that the country has the capacity to meet domestic demand through local production.
“We spend over $300 million every year importing frozen chicken when that money could be invested in local farmers to create jobs and grow the economy,” he said.
According to Mr Adongo, previous efforts to revive the poultry sector have been hindered by high production costs, limited access to financing, and competition from cheaper imports.
He said the government is now working with industry players to address these challenges and promote local production.
“The high cost of poultry feed, lack of credit, and inadequate processing facilities are some of the main hurdles. We are considering practical solutions such as subsidising feed, improving access to financing, and investing in processing and storage infrastructure,” he stated.
Mr Adongo added that the renewed poultry initiative will support both large-scale commercial producers and smallholder farmers, ensuring that local production can compete with imports.
“This is not just about food security. It’s also about saving foreign exchange and creating jobs across the value chain. We need to take decisive steps to boost local production and reduce our dependence on imports,” he emphasised.
He reiterated that revitalising the poultry sector is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote agricultural self-sufficiency and strengthen the economy.
Ghana’s cocoa industry is in severe financial distress, with the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) accumulating GH¢32.5 billion in debt, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed.
He warned that this growing financial burden, coupled with major revenue losses, threatens the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farmers.
Speaking at the National Economic Dialogue (NED) 2025 in Accra on Monday, March 3, Dr Forson revealed that cocoa production has declined by nearly 50% over the past three years, making it difficult for Cocobod to meet its commitments.
“In the 2023/2024 crop season, Cocobod failed to supply 330,000 tons of cocoa for its contracted deliveries, resulting in huge financial losses,” he said.
He further explained that Ghanaian farmers are losing $4,000 per ton of cocoa sold due to restrictive contract agreements.
“Because of the ROVER contracts, we cannot offer farmers competitive prices, which has driven up smuggling to Togo and Côte d’Ivoire,” he added.
Dr Forson also expressed concerns over Cocobod’s unbudgeted expenditures, describing them as a major risk to public finances.
He revealed that GH¢9.7 billion of Cocobod’s debt is due for payment by September 2025, and urged a complete restructuring of the institution to protect farmers and restore financial stability.
The President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama has assured the government’s full support to churches who would like to venture into agriculture and agribusinesses.
Mr. President made this statement during his meeting with the clergy to worship with the clergy on Sunday 2nd March 2025 at KNUST Great Hall, Kumasi.
In his speech during the meeting, he mentioned that agriculture is a viable economic activity that could transform the lives of the church members and Ghanaians as a whole.
Agriculture is a tool to resetting the country’s economy as the new government’s agenda is concern. It is the mandate to provide the necessary support to any church that would like to venture into the agric sector for economic transformation.
He called all the churches to prioritise agriculture as a means to an end.
As part of the government’s policy to transform the agriculture sector for self-sufficiency, the Minister convened the stakeholders to discuss the issues that affect the sector and to reset it. Setting the ball rolling at the meeting at the ministry’s conference room, Davies Korboe, the Chairman of the National Farmers and
Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG) stated that the Farmers’ Day celebration is always overtaken by politicians. The parade is made up of politicians wading off the farmers to have a feel of the activities.
Gone are the days when it was said that farmers are illiterate, Chairman said, today, there are a lot of professionals who have ventured into farming and contributing meaningfully into the national discourse.
He further said there is low investment in the agricultural sector, however, called on the government to giving funds to the farmers. He explained that farmers do not use the funds for their intended purposes but to invest and produce for the people in the country. He called for encouragement and support for the tree diversification project.
To end his submission, he said galamsey, estate developers and sand wining activities are wrecking the sector. He urged the ministry to actively make it a great concern to curb these challenges to avail the lands for production.
Discussing the issue of irrigation and seeds as one of the core pillars of production, Dr. Felix Kamassa, the CEO of Maphlix Trust Farms said good seeds and irrigation are problematic to farmers that hinders food security in the country.
According to him, viable seeds determine the yields of a farmer, therefore, the Seed Council at the ministry should be accessible to farmers on the right and improved seeds to plant during the planting season.
“Ghana has about 500 irrigation projects, some of which World Bank started and were abandoned in the bush, can we visit those places, rehabilitate those facilities than looking for another avenue to create new site for irrigation sector?”, he quizzed.
He concluded that irrigation is very vital to all the crops in the production, being mango, cocoa, banana, maize not only to vegetables.
In the rice sector, Nana Adjei Ayeh II, the President of Ghana Rice Interprofessional Body issued that rice is a viable commodity that forms about 80% of our cuisine, yet nobody cares about it.
He said the Interprofessional Body wants market availability for the local rice production in the sense that the government institutions like the schools, prison services, hospitals should patronise the made in Ghana rice.
Adding her voice to the issues concerning the rice sector, Madam Mabel Akoto-Kwudzo of Okata Farms stated that Ghana spends millions of dollars importing rice. She mentioned that she alone manages 300 acres of rice and employs 300 women to work on the farm.
In concur with the President in the sense of government’s patronage in the locally produced rice, she noted that the local rice contains all the nutritional values than the imported ones.
She, therefore, urged the government to patronise the locally produce rice for the state institutions to address importation gap and to reduce dependency.
Delving into the livestock sector, the President of the Cattle Farmers Association, Imam Hanafi Sunde raised concerns of the livestock sector being left out in the agricultural sector.
He stated that the government should resolve the farmer-herder conflict which is causing human lives in the country. He mentioned issues related to livestock data, animal health, and the movement of animals from neighbouring countries and called for solutions.
In responds to the plight of the stakeholders to reset the agriculture sector to revamp the country’s economy, the Deputy Agric Minister-designate, John Setor Dumelo, speaking on behalf of the Minister Hon. Eric Opoku, Hon. Dumelo assured the farmers of their challenges being addressed.
He underscored the government’s commitment to working hard to resetting the economy as agriculture is the backbone to the economic recovery. He noted that the challenges are much concern and priority to the Ministry.
Speaking to Agric Today in an interview, he outlined how the government has plan to support and aid the sector to thrive, pointing to a number of policy initiatives and strategies that would be implemented in the coming months and years.
He emphasized that addressing the challenges would take time, but the government would focus on resolving as many as possible, particularly the key and most urgent issues that are threatening the sector’s sustainability.
Officers of the Ghana Immigration Service stationed at the Akanu Sector Command with the support of some officers of the Ghana Revenue Authority-Customs Division have intercepted a truck loaded with smuggled cocoa beans.
The Officers acted on intelligence waylaid the truck with registration number AS 2103 -W driven by one Ibrahim Fatawu.
There were 1115 gallons stuffed with cocoa beans found in the truck at the Ave-Havi border post to be smuggled to Togo
This was contained in a press release issued and signed by Michael Amoako-Atta, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration in charge of Public Relations and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Sunday in Accra.
It said the 1115 gallons of cocoa beans had been handed over to officials of COCOBOD while the truck had been impounded and the driver assisting in further investigations.
“The Ghana Immigration Service is hereby issuing a caution to all would-be smugglers to desist from such activity since it negatively affects Ghana’s economy and also loss of revenue to the Government,” it added.
The Service commended members of the border community for their collaboration and support in protecting Ghana’s borders.
The World Bank is projecting that nearly 50 million people in West and Central Africa including Ghana would face food insecurity during this year’s lean season from June to August 2025.
In its Food Security Update February 2025, the Bretton Woods institution said food security continues to be alarming in most low-income countries, particularly Africa.
It pointed out that conflicts and climate change continue to be the main drivers of food insecurity.
Since the last update, agricultural and export price indices have risen, closing at 3% and 6% higher, respectively. The cereal price index closed at the same level.
According to the February 2025 edition of the AMIS Market Monitor, international prices for crops (wheat, maize, rice, and soybeans) remain lower than a year ago, except for maize, which reached a 15-month high because of supply limitations.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Food Price Monitoring and Analysis, indicated that coarse grain prices exhibited mixed month-on-month trends in countries of the Sahel and along the Gulf of Guinea in December 2024 and January 2025, although in several countries in the subregion, coarse grain prices were higher than during the same period last year.
For example, in Mali, wholesale sorghum prices in January 2025 were generally 10 to 25% higher than year-earlier levels, and millet prices were 15 to 45% higher, mainly reflecting high transport costs, conflict-related market disruptions, and production shortfalls in the 2024 cereal harvest in several areas.
In Burkina Faso, wholesale sorghum and millet prices were up to 55% higher on a yearly basis in most monitored markets, except for a few markets where the year-on-year increase in millet prices was more pronounced.
281m Globally Experienced Acute Food Insecurity in 2023
While 281 million people globally experienced acute food insecurity in 2023, humanitarian aid to food sectors declined by 30% compared to 2022. That is despite a long-term trend in assistance which showed a 56% increase since 2016.
The World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report (January 2025) warns of prolonged economic stagnation, with global growth projected to remain at 2.7% through 2026.
Although this signals some stability, it falls short of driving meaningful poverty reduction or tackling rising food and nutrition insecurity in low-income countries.
The report underscored how persistent challenges—high inflation, mounting debt, and trade disruptions—are exacerbating food insecurity for the world’s most vulnerable.
