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Agric Ministry, COCOBOD documents reveal US$15 million & GHC44 million deals

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The 44-year-old embattled former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, was involved in extensive business dealings with COCOBOD during Dr Stephen Opuni’s tenure as Chief Executive, have been proven to be an outright lie.

Documents available to The Herald, reveal that Asaase Radio, attempted to link the former COCOBOD boss to Adu-Boahene’s financial dealings to shift focus from the latter’s controversial transactions at NSB and whitewash his reputation. 

According to official records, the first time Adu-Boahene’s fertiliser company, Glofert Limited, secured a contract with COCOBOD was in 2024 — long after Dr Opuni, had left office and was undergoing a criminal trial under the Akufo-Addo government.

The contract for the supply of Adikanfo Cocoa Fertiliser was awarded in October 2024, following approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

The agreement was for 300, 000 bags of 50kg granular fertiliser at a total cost of fifteen million seven hundred and fifty thousand US dollars (US$15,750,000).

Contrary to Asaase Radio’s claims, Glofert Limited, was commissioned as a fertiliser-blending factory at Asuboi in the Eastern Region by former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in August 2019 under the then-government’s One-District-One-Factory (1D1F) programme.

Adu-Boahene’s fertiliser company, later got several government contracts. For instance, documents from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Public Procurement Authority, confirm that Glofert Limited was among five companies engaged under a Single Source Procurement Method to supply fertilisers for the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II (PFJ 2.0) programme.

In December 2023, Glofert was approved to supply 5,000 metric tonnes of urea at a total cost of GHS43.9 million.

Further discrediting Asaase Radio’s assertions, official documents show that Glofert Limite,d was registered as an agent for VAT collection only in November 2018, with Business Registration Number CS097892017.

It is unclear, what scientific protocols COCOBOD, under Joseph Aidoo, adopted prior to purchasing Adikanfo Cocoa Fertiliser from Mr Adu Boahene.

 Dr Opuni was charged for sidestepping such arrangements ahead of purchasing Lithovit Foliar fertiliser from a businessman, Alhaji Seidu Agongo and his company, Agricult.,

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has accused Mr Adu-Boahene of embezzling millions of dollars meant for a cyber defence project, allegedly diverting the funds into real estate ventures in Accra and overseas.

It is alleged that he used a private company, secretly operated in conjunction with his wife, to siphon funds from government contracts, thereby amassing significant personal wealth.

Despite these damning allegations, an article authored by Asaase Radio’s Editor, Wilberforce Asare, sought to paint Mr Adu-Boahene as a successful businessman whose wealth was independent of political dealings.

He mentioned that the former NSB boss owns a number of businesses in and outside Ghana, including Glofert Limited, describing the company as “a multimillion-dollar company and one of the biggest, if not the biggest, fertiliser company in West Africa, which owns the biggest fertiliser blending set-up in Ghana.”

The article falsely stated that, “Glofert did much business with COCOBOD when Dr Stephen Opuni was the chief executive officer of the entity.”

However, all available evidence indicates that Glofert Limited, did not receive any COCOBOD contracts while Dr Opuni was in office, rendering Asaase Radio’s publication inaccurate and misleading.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, March, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, revealed that Mr Adu-Boahene was arrested in connection with an alleged financial scandal involving a $7 million cyber defence system contract.

Dr Ayine detailed the circumstances surrounding the case, citing financial misconduct and unauthorised transactions that diverted public funds meant for a critical national security project.

The Attorney-General explained that the cyber defence contract was intended to strengthen Ghana’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, data breaches, and digital espionage. However, the funds allocated for the project were allegedly mismanaged.

“In his capacity as Director of the National Signals Bureau, Mr Adu-Boahene, on 30th January 2020, signed a contract on behalf of the Government of Ghana and the National Security on the one hand, and on the other hand, an Israeli company named RLC Holdings Limited,” Dr Ayine disclosed.

The $7 million contract was meant to acquire cyber defence system software. However, the Attorney-General alleged that just a week later, Mr Adu-Boahene made suspicious financial moves that raised red flags.

“On 6th February 2020, he then transferred an initial amount of GHS27,100,000 from the National Signals Bureau account at Fidelity Bank to a private BNC account at UMB. Official documentation on the transfer reveals that the amount was for the payment of cyber defence system software. He transferred the money to his private company.”

Authorities believe that the alleged diversion of funds has compromised Ghana’s cybersecurity infrastructure, thereby delaying the implementation of crucial security measures to protect sensitive national data.

Legal proceedings are expected to commence soon, with Dr Ayine assuring that the government remains committed to holding individuals accountable for financial mismanagement.

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Physically challenged agro-processor wants support to contribute to 24-hour economy

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A Physically Challenged agro-processors, Mr Kofi Vinyo Physically Challenged agro-processors has lauded the 24-hour economy, appealing for government support to contribute to the implementation of the policy for job creation, poverty reduction and progressive development.

Mr Kofi Vinyo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kwatire-based Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited (KVCL), a solely organic agro-processing company said he needed urgent investment and support to procure modern machines and equipment.

With the machines, he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the company’s farm and the factory alone could create direct and indirect jobs for 1,000 people, and more so run four shifts under the 24hour economy.

Currently, Mr Vinyo said the KVCL processed organic tiger nuts into oil and powder and had obtained International Organic Certification to export the products to the European Union market, the United States and Canada.

“We have done the EU organic, National Organic Programme (USA) and Biological Organic (Canada),” he stated, saying, that would pave the way for the company’s products to be sold in at least all the organic shops in those countries.

“In fact, it will interest you to know that we have invested hugely in all these because of the 24-hour economy, and we anticipate that the government will roll out for us to also contribute to the policy and better the lives of our people”, he stated.

On challenges impeding private sector growth and entrepreneurship, Mr Vinyo said entrepreneurs required some tax reduction and incentives, urging the government to do more to tackle the Ghana cedidollar depreciation too.

As the engine of growth and development, he said he appreciated efforts being made by the government to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, saying the implementation of the 24hour economy alone could turn round the economic fortunes of the nation.

Mr Vinyo emphasised that entrepreneurship required discipline, creativity, and innovation, and urged Young entrepreneurs to strive and build their brands, cut expenses, and save more.

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Resetting Ghana’s Agriculture: Ghana to save millions of dollars by producing rice seeds locally.

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As part of resetting Ghana and the agriculture sector by reducing import and exchange rate to reduce high debt of rice seed importation, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has entrusted a Korean company called Korea programme on International Agriculture (KOPIA) to produce rice seeds for production at Dawenya irrigation enclave in Accra.

To ensure effective supervision of the project, the Minister of Food and Agriculture Hon. Eric Opoku together with is deputy Hon. Farmer John Dumelo, some of the staff members and stakeholders in the agriculture sector visited the project site to witness the ongoing project.

Hon. Eric Opoku and his team on the field for inspection.

Narrating the advent of the visitation, Hon. Eric Opoku said KOPIA donated 300 tons of rice seeds to the ministry to be distributed to Ghanaian farmers. Although, the 300 tons were not enough according to the minister, the company has assured to expand their production to produce the needed quantity of seeds for the farmers. This action of producing seeds locally would bridge the importation gap which would save the country millions of dollars.

Minister mentioned that though the 300 tones would not be enough for this year’s planting season, but the government would procure the remaining seeds for the farmers. “KOPIA has assured they are expanding their supply capacity in order to supply our farmers with enough seeds, this fuelled our visitation to inspect the project as 100 hectors of land have been added to their land operation for the expansion”, he told Agric Today.

Samples of locally produced rice seeds by KOPIA for farmers

Quizzing the Minister on the quality and the production level of the rice seed he said KOPIA is specialized seed producing company and according to the samples planted, it would take 5months for harvest and its yields is as high as 5 tons per acre.

To this effect he said the seeds would improve the living standards of the farmers since there would be high production.

He commended KOPIA at the pace of work and urged them to effectively discharge their duties on time.

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Ghana needs urgent solutions to avert looming food crisis – GAWU

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The General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) has called on the government to urgently address financial and operational challenges at the National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to prevent a food crisis.

They noted that NAFCO, responsible for the national emergency food programme, was underfunded and required about GH¢700 million to effectively carry out its responsibilities.

Both the immediate past Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hanan Abdul-Wahab, and the current one, Mr. George Abradu-Otoo, have said that the company could not respond to any disasters in its current state.

GAWU said that NAFCO was struggling to meet its mandate of purchasing, preserving, and distributing excess produce, such as maize, paddy rice, and soya beans from farmers.

The company, for almost a decade, had mostly stored imported food items and a few local products for distribution to secondary schools under the Free Senior High School programme.

Dr. Pascal Kaba, Deputy General Secretary of GAWU, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the government must stop paying lip service to the agriculture sector.

He noted that NAFCO’s warehouses did not meet minimum standards set by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), citing inadequate financing as the main problem.

Dr. Kaba called for immediate resource allocation, proper warehouses, and the establishment of produce buying centres closer to farming zones.

He urged the government to construct modern irrigation infrastructure and increase the number of officers assisting farmers to engage in year-round farming.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation. We have about 1.9 million hectares of irrigable land, but we are not making use of it.

“We keep getting spillage from the Bagre Dam, and all this water goes to waste. Meanwhile, in Burkina Faso, they have constructed two major dams for irrigation purposes.”

Dr. Kaba expressed concern over the lack of an agriculture service, asking, “The structure is bad for us. We do not have an agriculture service. How can that be possible?

“How can you have a whole sector, which is the main backstay of the economy, and it does not have a service?”

He recommended the creation of a Ghana Agriculture Service, like the Ghana Education Service and Ghana Health Service, to implement agriculture policies.

At a recent handing-over ceremony, Mr. George Abradu-Otoo promised to reposition NAFCO to ensure consistent food availability and price stability in the domestic market.

“Our focus is to fulfill our mandate by ensuring greater public access to foodstuffs, storing them for the lean season, and guaranteeing fair prices for farmers,” he said.

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Finding reliable stream of income: Rabiu Mohammed embraces cocoa farming.

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While many retired footballers transition into coaching, punditry, or administration, former Black Stars midfielder Rabiu Mohammed has chosen a different path, agriculture.

The 35-year-old, known for his tenacity in midfield, retired from football in 2020 after suffering an ACL injury and now dedicates his time to cocoa farming.

In an exclusive interview with Akoma FM, Rabiu revealed that his passion for farming stems from his childhood.

“My grandmother and father were cocoa farmers. As a child, I would join my father on the farm every Saturday before I could go and play football. I developed a love for farming, not for the financial gain, but for the joy and peace it brings,” he shared.

A recent video circulating on social media shows Rabiu diligently tending to his expansive cocoa farm, sparking speculation about his financial standing. However, Rabiu remains unfazed by the comments.

“I hear people saying I must be broke or mismanaged my football earnings. But my brothers can testify to the investment I’ve made in farming. I’ve never lacked or suffered. The elders in the community motivate me to keep going, and I’m content with my decision,” he concluded.

Rabiu’s story serves as an inspiring testament to life after football and the fulfillment found in following one’s true passion.

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US farmers’ delegation visits Ghana to strengthen agricultural collaboration

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A high-powered delegation of farmers from the United States of America has visited Ghana to promote collaboration in the agricultural production sector.

Jay Reiners, Secretary/Treasurer of the United States Grains Council and former Chairman of the Nebraska Corn, Soybean, and Sorghum Council, arrived in Ghana alongside Brandon Hunnicutt, a fifth-generation farmer from Giltner, Nebraska. Mr. Hunnicutt is a former Chair of the Nebraska Corn Board and a member of the National Corn Growers Association Board.

The visit was organised under the auspices of the Volta Africa American Chamber (VAAC), a cross-continental development-oriented organisation. The delegation began their week-long schedule with a visit to rice farmers in Sokakope and Adidome, key rice-growing areas in the Volta Region.

They met with members of the Department of Agriculture and Engineering at Ho Technical University and university management to explore areas of collaboration, including exchange programmes for students and staff. A similar engagement was held with the management of Evangelical Presbyterian University.

The team also conducted a field trip to farms in and around the Volta Regional capital, sharing best practices in corn production through practical demonstrations. This was followed by a meeting with farmers and agricultural professionals across the region to discuss ways to commercialise farming in Africa.

The US executives shared farming perspectives from the West while advocating for the mechanisation of agriculture in Ghana.

Emphasising the importance of food security, the meeting also addressed the “serious” gaps in agricultural sustainability. Discussions highlighted the need to make farming and agriculture more attractive to the younger generation, particularly students.

The delegation then proceeded to the nation’s capital to meet with Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness.

According to Mr. Daniel Agboka Dzegede, Founder and President of the Volta Africa American Chamber, who led the delegation, the engagement aimed to explore how best to collaborate with the government to identify seeds that could produce better yields for sustainable farming.

“Dr. Otokunor was pleased and said it aligned with the government’s agenda, adding that agriculture was the number one priority for President Mahama,” Mr. Dzegede said.

Mr. Dzegede also mentioned that the meeting at the Presidency discussed potential collaborations with various agencies and ministries.

The group proceeded to meet with the National Service Secretariat, where, according to Mr. Dzegede, a “very fruitful” conversation also took place. Ghana’s National Service has launched a pioneering farming initiative, cultivating more than 5,000 acres of land. The Scheme directors welcomed the US collaboration.

Incorporating agriculture into the education of graduates and the youth was a key point of discussion, with the US delegation expressing their willingness to support in this area.

Directors from the National Service Secretariat spoke about the progress in corn production, which is the primary focus of the initiative. They noted that the project already supplies the nation’s poultry industry, thereby enhancing the Internally Generated Funds (IGF).

The US team praised the National Service for prioritising agriculture and acknowledged the “seriousness” with which this vision was being pursued.

“They said they were eager to collaborate with the NSS to boost the farming initiative and make it more attractive to the youth,” Mr. Dzegede told the press.

Discussing the potential for the nation, the President of the Volta Africa American Chamber explained that the visit underscored the commitment to fostering international partnerships, sharing expertise, and addressing global food security challenges.

“By engaging directly with Ghana’s farming communities, the delegation aims to support the adoption of innovative technologies, improve crop yields, and enhance environmental stewardship. This initiative highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in advancing agricultural development, empowering farmers, and building resilient food systems for a sustainable future.

“VAAC wants Ghana and the Volta Region to become the leading producers of cereals in Africa. We hope to foster collaboration between farmers in the US and Ghana through exchange programmes and scholarships for students. We also envision sending farming volunteers from the US to support this initiative,” he said.

Mr. Dzegede also revealed that discussions were underway to facilitate the export of truck drivers and other professionals to the US.

Through collaboration with the Volta Development Forum, a pro-development organisation for the Volta Region, which he leads as Executive Director, a soil testing laboratory will be established for the Volta and Oti Regions. Mr. Dzegede explained that such facilities were unavailable in the region, significantly affecting farming output.

The Volta Africa American Chamber, founded in 2024, has a broad vision, as outlined by its Founder:

“Our vision is to promote the Volta Region to the world and highlight its prospects. We aim to bring in experts to share knowledge and technology and collaborate with agencies and institutions to build the capacity of our youth, entrepreneurs, and others for the economic development of Ghana.

“We seek to organise conferences and seminars to share ideas and opportunities, while securing exchange programmes for students to learn abroad and return to develop our region. We will showcase local opportunities and train the youth in collaboration with universities and government agencies.

“This organisation is for Voltarians, Ghanaians, and Americans who wish to belong to a chamber so that, together, we can achieve success.”

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Galamsey threatens bee populations, honey production – KNUST experts warn

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Health experts in the veterinary sector at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, are raising alarms over the devastating effects of illegal mining, commonly known as Galamsey, on bee populations.

In an interview with Channel One News during the launch of the Bee Health Club at KNUST on March 15, 2025, Dr. William Tasiameh, Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine, stated that illegal mining, particularly deforestation, poses a serious threat to bee populations by destroying their natural habitats and reducing available forage.

“Bees need trees, and if the environment is being destroyed, as seen in the case of Galamsey, it becomes a serious issue. We are cutting down trees and destroying our forests, which poses a significant challenge to the survival of bees. They need space, trees, flowers, and a conducive environment to reproduce, just as nature intended.”

He further stated that, contaminated water from Galamsey sites poses a significant threat to the quality of honey production.

“The major part of honey is water. Bees drink from these water bodies that are heavily polluted through illegal mining operations… It affects the livelihoods and survival of these bees”.

Donyina Effah Kwasi Opoku, a bee farmer, urged the government to implement policies that encourage youth participation in beekeeping by providing support and empowerment programs, emphasising its potential as a significant source of revenue for the economy.

“For many years after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s attempt to establish a beekeeping industry, no other government has shown interest. We are calling on the government to implement a policy and empower the youth with kits and training. This will create a valuable avenue for revenue generation for the country.”

Prof. Benjamin Emikpe, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at KNUST, stated that the key to ensuring sustainable beekeeping and honey production is instilling a culture of beekeeping among students through collaborative efforts.

“For sustainable honey production in Ghana, it is important to engage the youth early. Veterinarians, as well as students from the College of Education and the College of Agriculture, should be encouraged to understand the value of honey and the importance of bee health.”

The Bee Health Club is funded by the UK’s Agency for Plant and Animal Health.

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Government Allocates GH¢1.5 Billion to Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda

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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.

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Invest in agriculture to reduce $2bn food import bill – PFAG demands

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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.

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GHANA @ 68: CAG call for Ghana’s agricultural food self-reliance; aligning national vision and policies for agro-industrial revolution and global competitiveness.

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Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

  1. Transform subsistence farming into a modern, industrialized sector (Agriculture for Economic Transformation).
  2. Maximize productivity through round-the-clock Agro-processing and logistics (24-Hour Economy).
  3. 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.

A United Vision for the Future.

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