The Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has disclosed that although a large proportion of Ghanaians have access to basic water services, less than half of the population benefits from safely managed water sources.
According to the minister, data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) indicate that about 88% of Ghana’s population has access to basic water services. However, less than half enjoy safely managed water services.
“Only 44% per cent of the population benefits from safely managed water services, defined as an improved water source that is on-premises, available when needed and free from contamination,” Mr Adjei stated in the Government Accountability Series held in Accra on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Mr Adjei noted that while overall access figures may appear encouraging, significant disparities persist between urban and rural communities.
He explained that urban water access stands at about 96%, compared to an average of 74% in rural areas.
“Certain regions are experiencing access rates as low as 42%. It is important to note that these figures include communities where service is often intermittent and unreliable,” he added.
Highlighting challenges confronting urban water delivery, the minister pointed to the high levels of non-revenue water, estimated at 50%—double the international benchmark of 25%.
“One of the critical challenges facing urban water supply is non-revenue water, which stands at an estimated 50%,” he said, warning that the situation continues to undermine efficiency and financial sustainability within the sector.
Mr Adjei further revealed that nearly four million Ghanaians still rely on unimproved, limited, or surface water sources, exposing them to serious health and environmental risks.
He attributed the challenges in the water sector to a combination of structural and environmental factors, including aging infrastructure, low investment in maintenance, poor cost recovery mechanisms, high operational costs, pollution of water bodies, and climate-induced variability.
The minister assured that the government remains committed to addressing these challenges through targeted investments, sector reforms, and improved collaboration with development partners to expand access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water services across the country.
Organised rubber farmers and other actors within Ghana’s rubber value chain have rejected claims by the Association of Natural Rubber Actors of Ghana (ANRAG) that it represents the interests of rubber farmers and industry players nationwide.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the Rubber Farmers Association of Ghana (RUFAG), Mr. Michael Kwaw Nyarku, the farmers said ANRAG lacked the legitimacy and mandate to present itself as an umbrella body for the natural rubber industry.
The statement followed a recent press release by ANRAG published on MyJoyOnline, in which the association commented on issues relating to rubber pricing, exports and value addition.
According to the farmers, while ANRAG has the right to exist as a registered association and advocate for its members, it cannot credibly claim to represent the entire rubber value chain.
“Representation in a value chain as diverse as rubber cannot be self-assigned,” the statement said, adding that any umbrella body must derive its legitimacy from broad-based consent and inclusive engagement with key stakeholders, particularly farmers.
The farmers accused ANRAG of excluding farmer groups from decision-making and advancing positions that serve the interests of a few processing and drying companies, rather than the wider industry.
They further challenged ANRAG’s assertions on pricing, describing them as lacking moral authority because the association is dominated by buyers rather than producers.
“If processors and dryers are already offering competitive prices, there should be no justification for calling for a ban on raw rubber exports,” the statement said, arguing that such calls point to fear of competition rather than concern for farmer welfare.
On claims that the rubber market is not monopolistic, the farmers maintained that the issue was not the number of processors but the conduct of the market, alleging coordinated pricing behaviour among buyers that disadvantages farmers.
The statement also dismissed ANRAG’s emphasis on value addition, describing it as misleading, and accused some processors of exporting rubber in raw or semi-processed form while seeking to deny farmers access to export markets.
The farmers disclosed that they had petitioned the President, the Ministers for Food and Agriculture and Trade and Industry, and other authorities to protest against restrictions on raw rubber exports.
They also rejected claims that exporters were responsible for credit financing risks in the sector, arguing that loan default challenges existed before exporters entered the market and were rooted in weaknesses within existing financing and off-take arrangements.
On regulation, the farmers said the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) had consulted relevant value-chain committees in line with established procedures, contrary to ANRAG’s claims.
The statement cautioned against any attempt by private associations to assume regulatory roles, stressing that matters relating to exports, valuation and compliance fall within the statutory mandate of the TCDA and other state institutions.
The farmers called for inclusive engagement, respect for institutional mandates and data-driven oversight to ensure sustainable growth of Ghana’s natural rubber industry.
When President John Dramani Mahama announced his first batch of ministers, few appointments generated as much anticipation as the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture. For years, stakeholders had expressed frustration over the absence of visionary leadership capable of addressing the sector’s complex ecological, economic, and governance challenges.
The nomination of Hon. Emelia Arthur a native of Shama and a respected development practitioner therefore sparked both optimism and debate. While many believed her community roots positioned her well for the role, others questioned her practical experience in fisheries management.
Her impressive performance during the ministerial vetting, however, quickly settled the debate. She demonstrated a deep understanding of the sector’s problems and articulated a clear, forward‑looking vision, earning widespread praise across traditional and social media.
Leadership Style & Early Engagement
Hon. Emelia Arthur assumed office on January 27, 2025, and immediately set a tone of accessibility, humility, and community‑centred leadership. She held introductory meetings with staff of the Ministry, the Fisheries Commission, and the Premix Secretariat, followed by engagements with key stakeholder groups including GNCFC, GUTA, NAFTA, industrial trawler operators, OMCs, and BDCs.
Her leadership style marked by an open‑door policy and a down‑to‑earth approach has endeared her to fisherfolk nationwide. Unlike her predecessors, who often met fisherfolk representatives in Accra or regional capitals, she chose to visit landing beaches across the Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions within her first month in office.
A memorable moment occurred at Poase near New Takoradi, where a woman remarked, “Minister iyi dze obra ne ho ase paa” (“This minister is very humble”) after Hon. Arthur walked through the community rather than drive her V8 to the meeting venue. Such gestures have strengthened her connection with coastal communities and enhanced trust in her leadership.
3. Policy Reforms & Sectoral Achievements of Government
3.1 Key Messages Delivered During Field Visits
No Closed Season for Artisanal Fishers
Closed seasons will apply only to semi‑industrial and industrial fleets.
Artisanal fishers must strictly observe traditional conservation practices, including the Tuesday fishing ban, which provides at least 48 non‑fishing days annually.
Bans on light fishing, dynamite use, illegal nets, and all IUU practices will be strictly enforced.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and closed areas will be introduced to support stock recovery.
Fish test kits will be deployed to detect illegal catches, with offenders prosecuted.
Monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) will be intensified, including EMS on trawlers and LaBECs by the Marine Police.
Premix Fuel Reforms
Immediate formation of Landing Beach Committees (LBCs).
Resumption of premix supply directly to communities.
Removal of district and regional premix coordinators to curb smuggling and hoarding.
Installation of tracking devices on premix tankers.
Enforcement of accountability for the 53% community development component.
Provision of Fishing Inputs The government is committed to supplying subsidized nets, outboard motors, and other gear conditional on adherence to sustainable fishing practices.
Operationalising the Anomabo Fisheries College Processes have begun to operationalize the long‑abandoned Anomabo Fisheries College, a key vision initiated under the late President Mills.
Integration of the 24‑Hour Economy Concept Hon. Arthur aims to embed the 24‑hour economy concept into fisheries and aquaculture operations to boost productivity and job creation.
Establishing the Blue Economy Commission She articulated a bold Blue Economy Initiative to sustainably harness Ghana’s marine and freshwater resources for economic transformation.
3.2 Major Achievements of the NDC Government in the Fisheries Sector After One Year
The Passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146) One major significant achievement of the President Mahama-led administration within the fisheries sector is the passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act, 1146) This landmark legislation:
Establishes an Independent Fisheries Commission.
Strengthens legal frameworks to align with international best practices.
Introduces tougher sanctions against illegal fishing.
Enhances safety and welfare standards for fishing crews.
Expands the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ) from 6 to 12 nautical miles.
The Act is expected to safeguard over $425 million in annual seafood exports and reposition Ghana as a leader in sustainable fisheries governance.
National Blue Economy Strategy Approved
Cabinet approved Ghana’s first National Blue Economy Strategy, built around six pillars: Blue Wealth, Blue Health, Blue Knowledge, Blue Finance, Blue Equity, and Blue City. The national blue economy strategy is crucial for Ghana’s development as it focuses on sustainable exploitation of ocean resources. Key benefits include:
Empowerment of small-scale fishers, enhancing their livelihoods and reducing poverty in coastal areas.
Economic growth through sectors like fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, which are vital to the country’s socio-economic wellbeing.
Environmental stewardship, promoting the health of marine ecosystems and addressing climate change.
Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), which aim to improve livelihoods and promote sustainable practices.
Overall, the blue economy represents a sustainable approach to harnessing Ghana’s marine resources, contributing to both economic and environmental sustainability.
Ratification of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
This strengthens global efforts against harmful subsidies and IUU fishing, aligning with Ghana’s Marine Fisheries Management Plan (2022–2026).
Approval of Ghana’s First Marine Protected Area
A 700 km² MPA has been approved for the Greater Cape Three Points area to restore ecosystems and rebuild fish stocks.
Draft Inland Fisheries Management Plan (2026–2030)
Ghana’s first comprehensive inland fisheries plan has been developed, emphasizing sustainability and community participation.
Anomabo Fisheries College at 70% Completion
Construction has progressed significantly, with a draft curriculum and governance structure developed.
351 Landing Beach Committees Reconstituted
This enhances grassroots governance and ensures equitable premix distribution.
Increased Premix Supply
Between February and November 2025, 28.7 million litres of premix were supplied directly from TOR to landing beaches, eliminating intermediaries and reducing corruption.
Payment of GHS 91.2 Million Legacy Debt by Government Government cleared outstanding debts owed to BDCs, restoring premix supply reliability and reducing fishing costs.
Expansion of Automated Premix Dispensing Sites
Automated sites increased from 42 to 57, equipped with modern monitoring technology to curb diversion and enhance transparency.
4. Governance & Accountability Measures
Hon. Emelia Arthur, in line with President Mahama’s vision of transparent and accountable governance has prioritized transparency and community accountability, particularly regarding premix fuel management under L.I. 2233.
Key governance measures include:
Enforcing the requirement that 53% of premix margins be deposited into designated community development accounts.
Conducting community accountability sessions in Sekondi, New Takoradi, Abuesi, and other areas.
Reinforcing the role of LBCs as trustees—not owners—of premix fuel and its proceeds.
Strengthening oversight to address weak record‑keeping, politicization of LBC structures, and limited community information.
These measures aim to rebuild trust, ensure equitable benefits, and promote responsible local governance.
5. Challenges facing the Fisheries Sector
Despite significant progress made by government within the fisheries sector, the sector continues to face persistent challenges, including:
Inadequate post‑harvest infrastructure and high losses
Premix supply constraints linked to under‑recovery issues
Implementation challenges with L.I. 2233
Limited public and private sector funding
Weak co‑management and community compliance
6. Government’s Strategic Outlook for the Fisheries Sector in 2026
Government priorities for 2026 within the fisheries sector include:
Expanding aquaculture through the Volta Lake Blue Economy Aquaculture Park
Supporting women and youth in aquaculture production and marketing
Developing regulations to operationalize Act 1146
Constructing modern fish markets at Dambai (Oti Region) and Daboase Junction (Western Region)
Establishing the Blue Economy Commission
Procuring and distributing approved nets and outboard motors
Strengthening the Fisheries Enforcement Unit
Constructing regional and zonal offices of the Fisheries Commission
Deepening partnerships with international development organizations such as Oceana, Blue Ventures, Ocean 5, Bloomberg Ocean Initiative, and the University of British Columbia
7. Conclusion
On behalf of the NDC Government led by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama on his vision she represents, Hon. Emelia Arthur, a proud daughter of Shama, has brought renewed energy, humility, and strategic clarity to Ghana’s fisheries sector. Through bold reforms, community‑centred leadership, and a commitment to sustainable resource management, she is paving the way for a brighter future in this vital sector. As Ghana strives to rebuild its fish stocks, enhance governance, and tap into the potential of the blue economy, her leadership shines as a beacon of hope and guidance for coastal communities and the nation. Supporting her vision is crucial for securing the livelihoods, ecosystems, and economic opportunities that rely on Ghana’s marine and inland waters. This is the clarion call we must all embrace to stand together in shaping a fisheries sector that honours our heritage, protects our livelihoods, and secures a sustainable future for generations yet unborn. Honourable, ayeekoo!
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku has paid a working visit to Kpong Irrigation Scheme to assess the 75% completion of the rehabilitation of Kpong Irrigation Scheme to combat climate variability and improve the resilience of Ghana’s food system.
Kpong Irrigation Project is the biggest irrigation site in Ghana irrigating about 4,040 hectares consisting of smallholder rice farmers made up of 2,040 hectares as well as the commercial banana farmers made up of, 2,000 hectares.
“Let me state that in this era of climate change, Ghana needs to build resilience to mitigate the shocks in water resources management for agriculture. In this regard, it is envisaged that the full rehabilitation of the scheme would improve its efficiency to increase agricultural production for both crop and fish farming,” the Project Lead of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme, Kofi Modzaka said in his speech to welcome the Minister.
He confirmed that the rehabilitation of the second phase of the Scheme started in November 2024 with funding from the World Bank has been speedily facilitated to serve farmers at the enclave.
According to him, road construction within the enclave, section lining of the main canal, completing the conversion of open line channels to closed pipe system, and automating the entire Scheme are the entire rehabilitation works that are ongoing with 75% completed.
“The full rehabilitation of the scheme would improve its efficiency to increase agricultural production for both crop and fish farming, improve farmers’ income, improve access to farms, and prevent potential conflict among farmers whose sessions were not developed under the GCAP intervention. Likewise, access to water will also improve for all the private stakeholders who depend on the scheme for their operation,” he added.
However, financial constraint has impeded the progress of the work at the scheme. He believed that Minister’s visit would facilitate the work to its completion.
The Project Coordinator for West African Food System and Resilience Programme (FSRP), Mr. Osei Owusu-Agyemang added that irrigation goes beyond construction. “When we say irrigation people think about construction, but it goes beyond construction.”
He explained that irrigation talks more of the community that would be affected. It talks of the people who uses the facility provided.
“There is more to engage in than construction, because if you construct and the community does not accept it, the farmers don’t farm, it becomes useless and wasted,” he guided.
Charles Hombley, a farmer and the President for the Kpong Irrigation Scheme – Water Users Association commended GCAP, FSRP and all the stakeholders for the rehabilitation of the Scheme.
He however, stated that farmers are facing some challenges. Farmers are experiencing gluts on their farms, “we produce but we can’t sell, the paddy rice we produce, we cannot sell because there is no market.” He called on the Minister to assist with the off taking through buffer stock.
Again, he pleaded to the Minister to prioritise Asutsuare enclave when the government start constructing mechanization centres in the country.
He ended by calling the Minister for an excavator to facilitate the distillation of the drainage systems in the enclave.
To facilitate the completion of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme and make water available for all the 4,000 hectares of land for agricultural production, the Minister of Agriculture Hon. Eric Opoku mentioned that he has submitted the four certificates of payment to the finance minister for immediate action.
Minister said the government’s agenda is to transform the economy through agriculture, thus, Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda. Feed Ghana Programme is to operationalize the agenda and irrigation is anchored in Feed Ghana Programme to transition Ghana’s agriculture from rain-fed to irrigation.
Due to this, he said irrigation is the topmost priority to the ministry and lump some of the Ministry’s resources have been directed to irrigation development to enhance year-round food production.
Minister assured the enclave of Farmer Service Centre to assist farmers who are predominantly smallholders who don’t have the means to procure huge equipment to get access to the equipment suitable for production and training.
“I agree perfectly with you. Every producer, whether in the agricultural space or elsewhere, the only motivation, the only thing that drives you into production is availability of markets. If the market is not there, there is no motivation for anyone to go into that production, unfortunately, in our case, our farmers have invested so much in production and they have produced so much and they are not getting the market for their produce,” he lamented.
He assured the farmer to liaise with the millers and Buffer Stock to off take all the paddy rice at the enclave to ease the hardship of the farmers. Minister rightly shared some contacts with the WUA association President to keep in touch to solve the issue.
He promised to procure excavator for the enclave to facilitate the distilling and to make sure all the roads within the enclave are constructed for the farmers to carry out effective production for the people of Ghana.
Beijing, China – 19 January 2026 – The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MoFA) has taken a major step toward transforming Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture sector following high-level strategic discussions with the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), China’s leading national fisheries research institution.
The engagement, led by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), forms part of the Government of Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+), which seeks to strengthen food security, create jobs, expand exports and enhance industrial competitiveness through strategic international partnerships.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of CAFS in Beijing, brought together senior officials from the Ministry, the 24H+ Secretariat and key Ghanaian economic institutions, alongside the leadership and technical directors of CAFS.
Fisheries and Aquaculture as a National Development Priority. Addressing the meeting, Hon. Emelia Arthur reaffirmed that fisheries and aquaculture remain critical pillars of Ghana’s development agenda, contributing significantly to food and nutrition security, employment, export earnings and the sustainable development of the Blue Economy.
She outlined Government’s vision to build a resilient, well-governed and science-driven fisheries and aquaculture sector, supported by strong institutions, modern technology and data-led decision-making.
“The Ministry is deliberately pursuing research-led partnerships that will strengthen Ghana’s capacity across aquaculture expansion, fisheries resource management, disease control, value addition and human capital development,” the Minister stated.
Deepening the 66-Year Ghana–China Partnership The engagement builds on the 66-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Ghana and China, with fisheries and aquaculture identified as a priority area for long-term cooperation.
CAFS, which operates under China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, showcased its extensive technical and institutional capacity, including: 14 specialised fisheries and aquaculture research institutes Nearly 5,000 scientists and technical experts Advanced research vessels, laboratories and field stations Active cooperation programmes in more than 40 countries, including across Africa
Key Areas of Cooperation Discussed
Aquaculture and Mariculture Development The Ministry expressed strong interest in collaboration to expand Ghana’s aquaculture production and close the national fish supply gap through: Marine fish farming (mariculture) systems Species diversification beyond tilapia Inland and coastal cage farming Scaled production for domestic and export markets
Capture Fisheries and Resource Management Discussions covered: Joint fish stock assessments and marine surveys Research vessel collaboration Strengthening fisheries data systems Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing Addressing climate change impacts on marine ecosystems
Fish Disease Control and Biosecurity MoFA highlighted existing national gaps in biosecurity and disease surveillance. CAFS expressed readiness to support Ghana through: Development of national biosecurity frameworks Strengthening diagnostic and laboratory systems Capacity building for fisheries officers and researchers
Capacity Building and Human Capital Development Both sides explored structured cooperation including: Scholarships and postgraduate training programmes Technical exchanges and expert deployments Partnerships with Ghanaian universities and research institutions Strengthening national fisheries research infrastructure
Fisheries Infrastructure and Value Chain Development Priority areas identified included: Fish processing and cold-chain infrastructure Feed production systems Aquaculture demonstration parks
Support for Phase II development of the Fisheries College Next Steps The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture will lead the next phase of engagement, which will include: Drafting a Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CAFS Identifying priority joint research programmes Planning CAFS technical missions to Ghana Establishing structured training and scholarship pipelines Exploring infrastructure collaboration and investment models A joint working group involving MoFA, CAFS and the 24H+ Secretariat is expected to be established by February 2026, with pilot projects targeted for rollout by mid-2026.
Strategic Impact The engagement positions fisheries and aquaculture as a strategic anchor of Ghana–China cooperation, aligned with: National food security goals Export expansion under the AfCFTA framework Research-driven policy and governance Sustainable Blue Economy growth Long-term skills and institutional development
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that international partnerships translate into tangible benefits for fishers, fish farmers, processors and coastal communities across Ghana.
As Ghana’s cocoa sector grapples with one of its most challenging periods in years, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) says it has stepped in to plug a critical financing gap threatening the cocoa supply chain, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars to keep licensed buying companies and farmers afloat.
“Well, the big thing that we’ve been trying to support over the last 18 months, because there’s been a bit of a financing gap with the cocoa board…and the LBC supply chain has had to selffinance,” Kelhofer said.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa beans, relies heavily on a tightly linked financing structure to move cocoa from farm gates to export markets.
However, disruptions to that flow, combined with production challenges, have heightened liquidity stress across the value chain.
To stabilise the system, the IFC says it has worked closely with local banks, regulators, the Bank of Ghana and the Ministry of Finance to channel funding in local currency to sustain operations.
“We’ve tried to step in, including with some support from the regulators, the central bank and the Ministry of Finance.
We’ve tried to step in to help the LBCs have sufficient liquidity, but local currency liquidity, hence via local banks,” he explained.
According to Kelhofer, the IFC has already provided more than $100 million, with total support potentially reaching $300 million this year, aimed at ensuring the cocoa supply chain remains functional.
“And so we’re proud to have provided over $100 million and maybe up to $300 million this year to help ensure that the whole cocoa supply chain remains viable and that farmers at the farm gate are seeing all the LBCs and getting as price competitive and the best return possible,” he said.
The intervention highlights the growing role of development finance institutions in backstopping strategically important sectors, as Ghana’s cocoa industry confronts financing constraints, production risks and broader market pressures.
Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has warned that Senior High School (SHS) managers who deny students adequate meals will face severe sanctions if found complicit.
Dr Apaak issued the warning in a Facebook post on Saturday, adding his voice to an official statement released by the Ghana Education Service (GES) over an alleged feeding situation at Savelugu Senior High School.
“Our students deserve balanced, nutritious and sufficient meals. Government has made sufficient funds available to ensure that,” Dr Apaak stated.
He cautioned that heads, matrons and bursars who engage in practices that deprive students of proper feeding would be held accountable.
“Managers of our secondary schools whose conduct denies our students good meals would face severe consequences if found complicit,” he added.
The comments follow a statement from the GES acknowledging a video circulating on social media that raised concerns about food provision at Savelugu Senior High School.
According to the Service, management had taken notice of the allegations and initiated investigations into the matter.
“Management of the Ghana Education Service has sighted a video circulating on social media about an alleged food situation at Savelugu Senior High School,” the statement said.
The GES stressed that student feeding remains a priority and described any form of mismanagement as a serious offence.
“Management takes the quality of student feeding very seriously; hence, it prioritises quality feeding and views mismanagement as a serious offence,” the statement noted.
While addressing public concerns, the Service said the incident should not be seen as reflective of the national situation.
“Management wishes to assure the public, especially parents, that the incident at Savelugu Senior High School is an isolated case and does not reflect the overall feeding status nationwide,” it said.
GES further disclosed that investigations had already begun and pledged stronger oversight measures going forward.
“Investigations have been initiated into the matter,” the statement added, announcing plans to intensify unannounced monitoring visits to schools across the country.
The Service also appealed to school authorities and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with management to prevent future lapses.
“Stakeholders, and school heads especially, are urged to promptly report any peculiar challenges they encounter to management for timely intervention,” the statement said.
Dr Apaak’s intervention underscores the government’s position that funding constraints cannot be used to justify poor feeding practices, particularly at a time when resources have been made available to support students’ welfare.
Thousands of cassava farmers in Oti Region are facing crisis as their processed cassava chips have piled up with no buyers, causing significant financial losses.
The chips processed with peels intact, are now deemed unsuitable for cassava flour production, exacerbating the issue.
A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), to some communities sighted some sacks of cassava chips lined up under mango trees and heaped by the roadsides gathering dust highlighting the plight of farmers.
Madam Comfort Babijome, a farmer at Gyato Chayo, a farming community in Krachi Nchumuru District, revealed that, a bag of cassava chips was now selling for less than GH¢100, a stark contrast to the GH¢350-400 a year ago.
Kasim Kwame Abubakar, a cassava farmer from the Sibi community in the Nkwanta North District, is pleading for government support as his processed cassava chips are going to waste.
Abubakar’s story is not different from farmers in Krachi East, who are struggling to find buyers. “We need the government to help us find markets or provide alternative solutions.”
Everywhere you look, “food systems transformation” is the new buzzword. From U.N. conferences to corporate boardrooms, the term is gaining momentum. But behind the headlines, real change remains elusive.
At last summer’s U.N. Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa, world leaders gathered to review progress. But for many, the event also exposed deep tensions.
The Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSIPM) – a global coalition representing hundreds of grassroots organisations within the U.N. Committee on World Food Security – withdrew from the process, citing concerns that corporate interests were being prioritised over the rights and realities of local communities.
This wasn’t just a political disagreement. It revealed something more fundamental: our food systems agenda is still anchored in an illusion of control, the belief that transformation can be centrally designed, measured and managed.
The systems we work within are increasingly complex, unpredictable and non-linear.
Development finance is retreating or being restructured as governments pivot toward defence and national security spending. Meanwhile, climate shocks are accelerating – Europe alone now loses 28 billion euros annually in agricultural damages, a figure expected to rise to 40 billion euros by 2050. These aren’t outliers; they are the new normal.
And yet, we continue to build planning frameworks, log frames and toolkits that assume change is linear and measurable.
Too often, what’s labelled as “learning” is an exercise of ticking boxes, not asking what’s working or why. Most monitoring and measurement systems reward the reporting of progress indicators, not serious reflection about efficiency, process or weaknesses in implementation.
For generations, farmers, pastoralists and local producers have been navigating uncertainty, not in theory, but in practice. Kenyan herders, for example, navigate volatile rainfall, shifting prices, pest outbreaks and political instability. In response, they’ve developed adaptive strategies: splitting herds, negotiating land access and diversifying crops and incomes. These are not nostalgic traditions; they are active, context-aware systems built for resilience
Yet, too often, this knowledge is ignored or overwritten by externally defined solutions. Localisation is high on the global agenda, but a recent FAO review of national food systems pathways reveals that sub-national actors remain under-resourced, under-represented and structurally disconnected from the planning and budgeting processes that shape their futures.
The good news? A different kind of transformation is already under way, in quiet corners, led by those who don’t ask for permission.
In Brazil, Uganda, and India, farmers are organising participatory guarantee systems, trust-based alternatives to expensive organic certification. Built on social networks and peer review, these systems are more than cost-effective. In Brazil, they’re recognised by law. More importantly, they restore agency and control to producers themselves.
In Ethiopia, the Bank of Oromia is trialling revenue-based loans, a new model that doesn’t require fixed monthly repayments or traditional collateral. Instead, repayment is tied to income, giving borrowers, especially agri-entrepreneurs, room to absorb shocks. This innovation reflects a more grounded understanding of agricultural risk and rural cash flow.
In Mali, the Regreening Africa programme convened joint reflection missions that brought together women’s groups, traditional leaders and officials to review evidence on land degradation. Equipped with new tools, 30 women’s associations successfully advocated for land rights. In a country where women rarely hold legal titles, these associations now own agroforestry plots, growing food trees such as shea, parkia, and moringa.
Even within the U.N. system, its Forest and Farm Facility provides flexible funding that allows producer organisations to set their own goals and define success in their own terms. It shifts power, quietly but deliberately, from compliance to agency.
Some funders are shifting the way they work. The philanthropic collective Co-Impact, supports long-term, locally led systems change without rigid targets. Its Gender Fund centres women leaders and grassroots organisations in defining outcomes, not just delivering pre-set ones.
None of these examples are perfect. But they share a common thread: they don’t start with control. They start with trust, local leadership and a commitment to learn in the face of complexity.
Global and national actors must shift from directing change to enabling it; from defining outcomes to facilitating learning, coordination and long-term support.
It requires investing in feedback loops and flexible funding mechanisms that allow for iteration, failure and adaptation. In a paper we developed with colleagues last year, we offer a practical framework for how this can happen.
In short, we don’t need more control. We just need the courage to learn, to listen, and to let go.
The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) is warning of a nationwide demonstration if the government fails to address their pressing concerns.
The association is demanding urgent reforms to improve the welfare and safety of cocoa farmers, including the introduction of a pension scheme, improved health insurance, and quality healthcare.
“Cocoa farmers currently don’t have adequate social protection,” said Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng, National President of GNACOFA.
“We are calling on the government to establish a pension scheme, expand and strengthen health insurance coverage, and provide quality healthcare for cocoa farmers.”
Speaking to OTEC news on Wednesday January 14, 2025, Mr Boateng also expressed concern over the struggles cocoa farmers face in receiving payment after selling their beans to buyers.
“It’s unacceptable that farmers struggle to get paid,” he said.
The government has been urged to act on these demands to avoid a massive nationwide demonstration.
A pension scheme for cocoa farmers has been in discussion for years, with COCOBOD launching a pilot program in three districts in 2024.
