The Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, says under his leadership, he will ensure that all secondary schools in the country establish farms.
According to him, this initiative will help boost the country’s agricultural sector by making use of the vital land resources that Ghana possesses.
In response to questions about how to strengthen the nation’s agriculture sector during his appearance before Parliament’s vetting committee on Monday, January 20, he said, “We are also going to encourage institutional farming.”
Under the institutional farming initiative, he explained, “Every secondary school in this country will be required to own a farm.”
He further mentioned that he would collaborate with the Ministry of Education to “recruit labourers for secondary schools to help them establish and maintain their farms.”
The MP for Asunafo South Constituency in the Bono Region added that the initiative would not only address the issue of inadequate food for secondary schools but also improve the quality of meals served to students.
“If nothing else, we can reduce the cost of school feeding and also enhance both the quality and quantity of the food provided to our students,” he said.
School farms were once common in Ghana but began to decline in the late 2000s as stakeholders and successive governments showed less interest in the concept.
Agriculture Minister-nominee, Eric Opoku, has outlined plans to revamp Ghana’s poultry sector through targeted initiatives aimed at increasing production and reducing food prices.
Speaking during his vetting yesterday, January 20, he emphasised the critical role of affordable poultry feed in addressing food inflation and stabilising the prices of eggs and poultry products.
“We are going to focus on the production of poultry feed to make it more affordable, which will ultimately help bring down food prices in Ghana,” he stated.
He highlighted a proposed “Poultry Farm-to-Table Programme” in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto, aimed at closing the gap between poultry demand and supply. The programme, he explained, will provide financial resources to poultry farmers, enabling them to expand their operations and increase production.
“A key aspect of this programme is working with the Poultry Farmers Association to provide financial support. This will help farmers bridge the huge gap between demand and supply, while also focusing on making poultry feed more affordable,” Mr. Opoku added.
Citing a recent Ghana Statistical Service report, Mr. Opoku noted that rising food inflation, which has climbed from 23% to 27.8%, is partly driven by the increasing cost of eggs, stressing the urgency of investing in the poultry sector to curb this trend.
He also clarified that the proposed “nkuk) nkitikiti” initiatives would build on existing programmes, enhancing them with credit facilities and expanding veterinary services to ensure greater effectiveness.
“This is not a new programme; it is an ongoing initiative that we intend to improve. For instance, in the 2020 budget, the government outlined certain measures, but we will go further by adding credit facilities and deploying more veterinary services to achieve tangible results,” he explained.
As part of efforts to revitalise the country’s agricultural sector, the incoming Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, says the new government aims to make the sector more attractive to Ghanaians, especially young people.
He said, “We want to make agriculture attractive to the youth and to everyone in this country.”
To achieve this, the Minister-designate outlined a plan for the government to acquire land from landowners, prepare it for agricultural use, and then hand it over to interested farmers for cultivation and food production.
“We intend to acquire the land, prepare it for agricultural purposes, and then hand it over to prospective investors so that we can increase production and drive our nation towards food sufficiency,” he explained during his vetting in Parliament on Monday, January 20.
He further explained that his ministry would take a simple approach by engaging landowners to release land for this initiative, which he believes will significantly boost food production for both domestic and international consumption.
Mr Opoku also highlighted that the new government will prioritise the recruitment of more agricultural extension officers to assist in managing these farms, as the current ratio of extension officers to farms is in a dire situation.
Ghana’s agricultural sector is a key pillar of the economy, employing a significant portion of the population, especially in rural areas. Agriculture contributes around 20-25% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and remains vital for food security, employment, and poverty alleviation.
However, the lack of initiatives to make farming appealing to the younger generation remains a challenge, as many young people continue to seek white-collar jobs rather than pursuing careers in agriculture.
Agrisolve, a leading agribusiness solutions provider, has unveiled the Grain Power Project, a transformative initiative focused on driving agricultural growth by prioritizing opportunities at the market end of the value chain. Designed to empower women farmers and enhance the grain sector, the project leverages value addition, trade facilitation, and access to finance to catalyze investments in production and create sustainable livelihoods for women in agribusiness.
The launch took place during the 8th Anniversary Celebration of the Gbarakan Women Group, a flagship Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) in the Upper West Region. The event, attended by community leaders, development partners, and agribusiness stakeholders, emphasized the critical role of women in food security and economic development.
Market Development: The Key to Agricultural Growth The Grain Power Project reflects a strategic shift in agribusiness thinking, recognizing that robust market ecosystems are the foundation of sustainable agricultural transformation. By focusing on the market end—value addition, trade facilitation, and financing—the project seeks to create ripple effects that stimulate production and build resilience across the grain value chain.
Speaking at the event, Agrisolve’s CEO highlighted the rationale for this approach: “A thriving market creates opportunities for stakeholders to invest confidently in production. Value addition ensures that every grain harvested contributes to economic growth, while trade facilitation opens doors to regional and international markets. This is how we make agriculture work for everyone—starting with women farmers, who are the backbone of our food systems.”
What the Grain Power Project Offers
Empowering Women Farmers Through Value Addition Women farmers often face significant barriers in moving their products up the value chain. The Grain Power Project will equip them with the skills and tools needed to process grains into finished products, enabling them to capture greater market value. Training in packaging, branding, and quality assurance will further enhance the marketability of their products.
Trade Facilitation to Connect Farmers to Markets Through strategic partnerships and infrastructure development, the project will establish efficient pathways for moving grain products from farms to markets. Farmers will gain access to reliable buyers and platforms that facilitate trade, including export opportunities to meet the growing demand for grains and processed products in regional and global markets.
Expanding Access to Finance for Women in Agribusiness One of the most significant barriers faced by women in agriculture is limited access to finance. The Grain Power Project will bridge this gap by collaborating with financial institutions to offer tailored credit solutions and innovative financing models. Women farmers and processors will also receive financial literacy training to enhance their ability to manage and grow their businesses.
Encouraging Investment in Sustainable Farming Practices Although the project emphasizes market opportunities, it recognizes the importance of sustainable farming practices to ensure long-term productivity and environmental health. Women farmers will be introduced to eco-friendly techniques that improve yields, conserve resources, and align with global sustainability standards.
Celebrating the Gbarakan Women Group A key highlight of the launch was Agrisolve’s adoption of the Gbarakan Women Group as the No. 1 Member of the Grain Power Project. This pioneering group has already demonstrated exceptional success as a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), mobilizing resources, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to local food security.
By becoming the flagship group of the Grain Power Project, the Gbarakan Women Group will serve as a model for other women’s organizations, showcasing the impact of collective action and market-first strategies in transforming agribusiness.
“The Gbarakan Women Group is proof of what is possible when women are given the tools, support, and opportunity to lead. Their journey inspires us all and sets the stage for what we can achieve together through the Grain Power Project,” said the CEO of Agrisolve.
Aligning with National and Global Priorities The Grain Power Project supports Ghana’s national agricultural development strategies and aligns with global efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By addressing SDG targets related to gender equality, zero hunger, and economic growth, the project is poised to create lasting social and economic impacts.
A Call for Partnerships To maximize its reach and impact, Agrisolve is inviting governments, development organizations, private sector actors, and financial institutions to partner in scaling the Grain Power Project. These collaborations will ensure that women farmers have the resources and networks needed to thrive, ultimately building a resilient agricultural sector that benefits all stakeholders.
“This project is a call to action for everyone who believes in the power of women to drive economic growth and food security. Together, we can build an ecosystem where women farmers are not just participants but leaders in shaping the future of agribusiness,” the CEO emphasized.
A Vision for the Future The Grain Power Project is part of Agrisolve’s broader vision to create inclusive, sustainable, and market-driven agricultural systems across Africa. By focusing on women and the market, Agrisolve aims to lay the foundation for a prosperous and resilient agribusiness sector capable of meeting the challenges of climate change, population growth, and resource constraints.
“This is more than a project—it’s a movement. We are planting the seeds of transformation that will bear fruit for generations. Together, we can create a legacy of empowered women, thriving communities, and sustainable agricultural growth,” the CEO concluded.
For More Information Phone: 055-200-0004 Email: project@agrisolvegh.com
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo has officially stepped down from his position, effective January 7, 2025.
His resignation follows a directive issued on January 13, 2025 regarding the cessation of all board memberships of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
In a letter to President John Dramani Mahama on January 16, Mr. Aidoo stated that his decision is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition and allow stakeholders and business partners to establish timely connections with the incoming leadership even though his renewed mandate was due to expire in July 2025.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the cocoa sector and pledged his support for the transition process.
Mr. Aidoo also expressed gratitude to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the opportunity to serve as COCOBOD’s Chief Executive over the past eight years.
“I hereby tender my resignation as Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, effective January 7, 2025,” his letter concluded.”
Former Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Clement Apaak, has confirmed that the Ghana Armed Forces has commenced the distribution of food supplies from warehouses to Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.
President John Mahama had earlier ordered the distribution of food meant for victims of last year’s drought in the northern part of the country to be redirected to schools.
This initiative follows concerns over food shortages in schools and aims to provide immediate relief to students and staff.
In an interview on Joy FM‘s Newsnight on Thursday, January 16, the Builsa South MP, disclosed this development after visiting Tema with representatives from the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service.
“I can tell you that the process has begun, okay, that by the end of next week, all schools should receive the quantities of rice they deserve, so we are prioritising,” he said.
“The trucks have started moving. The slight delay was due to awaiting detailed information from the Ministry of Education and the GES regarding breakdowns of quantities, locations, and contact persons. Security arrangements were also essential, especially given recent instances of cargo attacks.”
Dr Apaak confirmed that distribution to Greater Accra schools would begin immediately, with schools close to Accra receiving their allocations tonight. Schools far away from the capital will have their supplies dispatched over the coming days, he added.
Additionally, he noted that the military and police trucks are providing logistical support to ensure the safe and timely delivery of these supplies.
While the current effort addresses immediate food shortages, Dr Apaak acknowledged the need for sustainable solutions. He noted that the Chief of Staff, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Education, is working to allocate resources that will empower headmasters to independently procure food supplies in the future.
“This is a short-term measure. In the medium to long term, the processes initiated by the Chief of Staff and the relevant ministries should enable headmasters to procure food for their schools. We expect the requisite resources to be available within a week,” he added.
Dr Apaak also referenced former President John Mahama’s pledge to implement a sustainable food supply plan for schools, emphasizing its potential to resolve such crises permanently.
This follows the widespread reports of food shortages in various senior high schools forcing the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) to appeal to parents and guardians to supplement their children’s food supplies, as the National Food Suppliers Association cites its inability to deliver food to schools.
The suppliers blame the situation on the absence of a clear payment plan and uncertainty over whether the current administration will honour arrangements made by the previous government
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) Primus Baro, has told JoyNews the government would by the close of Friday, January 17, release funds to support the feeding of senior high school students for 31 days only.
According to him, the fund is an emergency intervention by the government following the food shortage faced by the various SHSs nationwide.
“It was for 31 days as instructed by the president and beyond, and when we are able to deal with the issue as it is now I believe it would be a clear direction as to what can be done going forward,” he said.
Out of the 18 food items needed in the schools, only two are available for distribution, hence the expected release of the funds to cater for the rest.
The transportation cost dominated the factors that pushed inflation above 20 percent in 2024.
This, according to the Ghana Statistical Service contributed to food inflation going up due to the high cost of transporting foodstuffs from the farmgate to consumers.
Speaking to Journalists at a workshop to review the consumer price index variables, Data Scientist at the Ghana Statistical Service Simon Tichutab called for a multi stakeholder approach to address the high cost of transporting foodstuffs to the markets.
He stated for example that moving tubers such as yam and cassava from the middle belt of the country to markets in the southern part led to astronomical price increases. The cost, he lamented is always passed on to consumers, leading to food inflation going up.
“If you look at the items, fuel, bus and trotro fares ranked about 70 times in the top fifteen of the 72 data points that we have and a lot of the food items like unprocessed food including yam, fresh tomatoes and other farm produce”, he said.
Describing the situation as a major hurdle that must be addressed, Mr. Tichutab advocated a policy shift to resolve the issue.
“It is a multifaceted challenge and if you ask my view I think if we really want to tackle inflation then we have to look at our food basket and its inflation rates”.
He pointed out that the trend has continued for some years, indicating a pattern that affect food prices.
“Every year, bus and trotro fare is ranked more than necessary which impacts on the prices. We need to check the gap between the market and farmgate and through a stakeholder conversation, there could be a broader approach in dealing with it”, he said.
The Ghana Statistical Service made the disclosure at a stakeholder engagement to review of the 2024 trends of consumer price indices and items driving inflation in Ghana.
The objective of the engagement was to foster a collaborative dialogue among key stakeholders, including government officials and the media on consumer price inflation.
According to the Ghana Statistical Services, the engagement is important to help have a better approach in calculating the inflation rate.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of understanding the complex factors contributing to consumer price inflation which engendered discussion on the development of comprehensive strategies to address the issues. In addition, it focused on key consumable items that have influenced the upward trends in the rate of inflation in Ghana.
The items consistently recording the highest price changes constitute almost a third of average household expenditure.
A Chief Research Scientist, Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante has been appointed as the new Director of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Ghana’s foremost agricultural research institute.
Prof. Asante, a research scientist with over two decades of experience in agricultural research and development, assumes the role effective February 1, 2025.
He succeeds the late Prof. Moses Brandford Mochiah, who served as Director from July 2019 to July 2024.
A Distinguished Career
Before his appointment, Prof. Asante served as the Deputy Director of the CSIR-CRI from January, 2022 to February, 2024 and the Head of the Institute’s Cereals Improvement Programme from 2017 to 2019. He is widely recognized for his leadership in rice breeding across Africa.
Prof. Asante’s career spans over twenty years with significant achievements in plant breeding. As the Rice Breeding Lead at CSIR-CRI, Prof. Asante has been instrumental in developing and releasing over twenty (20) climate-resilient rice varieties that have been widely adopted by farmers across Ghana.
He has dedicated his career to achieving rice self-sufficiency and enhancing food security in Ghana. His research has contributed to increasing agricultural productivity and improved the livelihoods of rice farmers in Ghana. Prof. Darko Asante’s current research focuses on developing high-yielding, climate-smart rice varieties tolerant to major biotic and abiotic stresses, utilizing conventional, DNA marker-assisted, and biotechnology approaches.
He leads the breeding modernization effort at CSIR-CRI and consulted for the CGIAR Excellence in Breeding (EiB) programme (now known as Breeding and Research Services) in 2021 to modernize breeding programs in Ghana and other African countries. He has also consulted for AGRA and GIZ-MOVE.
Awards
Prof. Asante’s outstanding contributions have earned him numerous accolades. In 2018, he won the National Best Agricultural Scientist at the 34th National Farmers Day. Prof. Asante was also selected as the best research scientist at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute in 2017. He was also awarded as the Most Influential WACCI Alumnus in 2023. Additionally, his rice breeding team won the Best Rice Breeding Program Award by KAFACI in 2023.
Prof. Asante holds academic affiliations as an Associate Professor in Plant Breeding and Genetics at the CSIR College of Science and Technology (CCST), Kumasi, Ghana. He is a Guest Lecturer at the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria and an Associate Faculty at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, Legon.
Educational Background and Professional Achievements
Prof. Asante obtained a BSc. (Agriculture) degree and a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast in 1998. He also holds an MSc. (Plant Breeding) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (2004), and a Ph.D. (Plant Breeding) from the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, Legon (2012). Recently, he completed an MSc. in Strategic Management and Leadership from KNUST and is awaiting graduation in March this year. He is a graduate of Class III of the African Plant Breeding Academy and the Gender-Responsive Cereal Grain Breeding Course (GREAT). He mentors women in Agricultural Science under the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) program.
He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications comprising refereed journal papers in highly-rated international journals, book chapters, and conference papers and has attracted over USD 4.5 million in research and infrastructure support to the CSIR-CRI. His exceptional skills has seen him served as Principal Investigator for over 10 research projects funded by prominent donors, including USAID, BMGF, AGRA, IFAD, and RDA, Korea.
Prof. Asante is a well-travelled scientist, and has attended conferences, workshops, and training programs globally. He was a visiting scientist at the Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Cornell University, and the USDA, ARS-Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, USA in 2006 and 2011, respectively. He also served as the President of the CSIR-CRI branch of the Research Staff Association (RSA) of Ghana from 2017 to 2020. He is married with three children.
Prof. Asante hopes to strengthen the Institute’s research capacity, foster innovation, and enhance collaboration with local and international partners to address the pressing challenges facing agriculture today. He acknowledges the importance of leveraging modern technologies, such as genomic tools and precision agriculture, to improve crop yields, enhance nutrition and ensure sustainability.
Challenges Ahead
The appointment comes at a critical time when Ghana’s agricultural sector is grappling with challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, and post-harvest losses.
Under Prof. Asante’s leadership, CSIR-CRI is expected to play a pivotal role in developing innovative solutions to these issues.
His expertise positions him well to lead the institute in addressing these challenges in collaboration with the Ghanaian government, the private sector, stakeholders in Ghana as well as international partners.
About CSIR-CRI
The CSIR-Crops Research Institute, headquartered in Kumasi, is Ghana’s leading research institution dedicated to agricultural science. Established in 1964, the institute focuses on the development of improved crop varieties and sustainable farming practices to enhance agricultural productivity and livelihoods.
With Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante at the helm, CSIR-CRI is poised to continue its vital work in addressing the challenges of food security and sustainable agriculture, not only in Ghana but across the African continent.
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has called on the newly elected government to prioritize an audit of the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam as part of efforts to address systemic agricultural challenges.
In a statement congratulating President John Dramani Mahama on his victory, PFAG highlighted the dam’s potential to contribute an additional 20-30% to Ghana’s agricultural GDP and mitigate climate change effects.
However, the group expressed concerns over alleged mismanagement and extortion under the previous administration.
PFAG urged the government to initiate an immediate audit under the “Operation Recover All Loot” agenda to recover misappropriated funds and ensure the dam’s proper implementation.
They also advocated for budgetary allocations to complete the project within the President’s first 120 days in office.
The farmers believe the successful completion of the dam is critical to unlocking the agricultural sector’s potential and driving sustainable economic growth.
“The Pwalugu multi-purpose dam has the potential to address climate change issues and provide additional 20% to 30% of agricultural GDP when properly implemented. However, the dam has been used as an avenue for extortion by the previous regime without accountability. We urge you to ensure that any illegal funds are recovered and returned to the state”, the statement mentioned.
The Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) congratulated President John Mahama on his election, praising his leadership and commitment to agricultural transformation and export growth.
In a press release dated January 8, 2025, FAGE highlighted the President’s track record of supporting initiatives to enhance Ghana’s export capacity, especially within the horticultural sector.
The federation expressed confidence in his administration’s ability to create an enabling environment for the sector’s growth.
“President Mahama’s unwavering commitment to agricultural transformation and export development has been instrumental in driving progress within our sector,” the statement read.
“His practical understanding of agriculture’s pivotal role in job creation, foreign exchange generation, and economic transformation gives the export community renewed optimism for the future.”
FAGE outlined ambitious goals for Ghana’s Non-Traditional Export (NTE) sector, targeting $5 billion in export revenues by 2027 and $10 billion by 2029.
The federation emphasized the importance of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and positioning Ghana as a leading horticultural hub in West Africa.
“We are confident that the new administration’s focus on private sector growth and strategic policy direction will help us achieve these milestones, strengthen Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves, and create thousands of sustainable jobs across agricultural value chains,” said Davies Korboe, President of FAGE.
The organisation reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the government to maximise the value of Ghana’s agricultural resources and boost the export sector.
FAGE concluded its message with a call for wisdom and resilience for President Mahama, as he leads the nation toward greater prosperity.
