The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku has orated the importance of motivating farmers in times like this, Farmers’ Day Celebration to the stakeholders and the general public.
Minister said this when the Ministry received a donation of powertrac tractor from Hifarm Agro and Machinery Ghana Ltd to support farmers at the Farmers’ Day.
Hon. Eric Opoku commended Hifarm for contributing to the celebration of the farmers’ day.
He reiterated that undoubtedly, agriculture is the backbone of the economy and farmers must be motivated to produce enough to feed the population.
He revealed that at this backdrop, on every first Friday of December every year, Ghana celebrates her farmers and give awards to distinguish individuals among the farmers.
He explained that implement like the Powertrac tractor is crucial for agriculture transformation as mechanization is concern.
According to him, the tractor will facilitate land preparation thus ploughing and harrowing, planting, fertilizer application, harvesting to enhance food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
“We are grateful to you, you will be remembered for this gesture, and we think that you are not only supporting the ministry, but you are supporting the Ghanaian farmers to deliver food on the table of every individual in this country”, Minister admonished Hifarm.
He called on other stakeholders to follow suit to wholistically celebrate our farmers for their hard work.
“We are here to donate this powertrac tractor to the ministry in support of National Farmers’ Day Celebration. We think this is very important thing to do as a local company to the ministry and the government’s agriculture drive”, the Hifarm official said.
He mentioned that in recent times, mechanised farming is the way to go, therefore, it was appropriate to support the good course to celebrate the farmers.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has received Four hundred and eighty thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc480,000) worth of agri inputs and twenty thousand Ghana Cedis cheque (GHc20,000) donation from Jay Kay industries to support the farmers’ day celebration on 5th December 2025 at Ho.
The Agri Lead of Jay Kay Industries, Enam E. Yakah in his presentation said the government has been doing a great job for promoting the work of farmers in Ghana.
To support the government the company donated a huge quantity of ROKO Nano Urea Fertilizer to all the farmers in Ghana who use UREA fertilizer; a liquid nitrogen fertilizer applied as a foliar spray.
Moreover, the donation is to support the government’s great effort in providing crucial interventions needed by Ghanaian farmers.
It is a nanotechnology-based product designed as an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to granular urea, with over 80% nutrient absorption through plant leaves.
Mr. Yakah said the quantity donated to the Ministry is meant for 2,400 acres of farmland use and one and half forty-footer container bags of fertilizers is equivalent to the inputs donated.
According to him, unlike granular fertilizers that that adds acid to the soil, nano fertilizers enrich the plants since the leaves rather absorb the nutrients directly without the soil’s intervention.
He advocated nano urea to be cheaper in terms of transporting a small quantity as compared to the granular urea fertilizers.
Again, nano urea fertilizers are environmentally friendly since it doesn’t go to the soil as compared to the granular urea fertilizers.
He assured the farmers of proving them with best agri inputs to ensure food security in Ghana.
“We are very much appreciative of your generosity and your willingness to contribute to agriculture,” Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister of Agriculture said when receiving the items.
The Minister assured that everything that the industry has donated would be given to the farmers to improve production.
He called on other stakeholders to come on board to motivate the farmers to produce the food Ghana needs.
Farmers in the Kpassa market of the Nkwanta North District in the Oti Region have raised concerns over the drop in prices of their farm produce, attributing the situation to a shortage of buyers.
During a visit to the market by the Ghana News Agency, several farmers and traders mostly women were seen seated behind large basins filled with grains such as maize, soybean, gari, and dry cassava were waiting for customers.
Many of them lamented that the lack of buyers has forced them to sell their produce at prices far below the cost of production.
The farmers said they worked hard during the farming season, but now the prices were nothing to talk about, to even recover what they had spent on fertilisers and other farm inputs and even transportation cost.
Hajia Fozia, a trader, said the situation had persisted for several months with buyers from major towns and regions reducing their visits to the market, contributing to the low prices of farm produce.
Comparing the prices of their farm produced this year to that of last year, they said a bag of dry cassava, which was sold at a price above GH¢1,000 last year, now sells at a price of GH¢400, also gari, which sold at GH¢1,000 now sells at a price of GH¢600 per bag, this among many farm produce sells at a low price.
They however, called on the government to allow caterers under the school feeding program the Opportunity to patronise from the locals to reduce their hardship.
The farmers also urged the Ministry of Agriculture to put measures in place so that they could also benefit from their hard labour since it took a lot of stress in farming.
The Government of Ghana’s renewed effort to revamp the poultry sector has received a significant boost following a joint donation of 150,000 birds from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union (EU) to support the Nkokonkitinkiti Programme.
The initiative, which aims to accelerate domestic poultry production and reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported chicken, was officially launched on 12 November.
It forms part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance food security, improve nutrition, and empower rural households with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the government, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, expressed profound appreciation to the FAO and EU for what he described as a timely and strategic intervention.
He noted that the support aligns perfectly with the government’s vision to rebuild the poultry value chain and create income-generating avenues for vulnerable households.
According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the birds will be distributed across selected districts under the first phase of the programme. The package includes technical assistance, feed support, and disease control measures to ensure optimal productivity and sustainability.
Officials say the programme is expected to directly benefit 55,000 households across the country. Beneficiaries will receive birds, cages, starter feed, and training in modern poultry management practices.
The intervention is projected to improve household nutrition, reduce poverty, and strengthen local economies.
Hon. Eric Opoku emphasized that the Nkokonkitinkiti initiative marks a new era in Ghana’s poultry development efforts.
He reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring transparency in distribution and effective monitoring to maximize impact.
He further stated that the support from the FAO and EU demonstrates the strong partnership between Ghana and the international community in advancing food security and agricultural resilience.
Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have welcomed the collaboration, expressing optimism that the programme will help reduce the country’s poultry import bill, expand local production capacity, and stimulate growth within the broader agricultural value chain.
With the donation now received and distribution underway, the Nkokonkitinkiti Programme is set to become one of the most transformative interventions in the poultry sector in recent years.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has received input donation worth Thirty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc30,000) and a cheque of Fifteen Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc15,000) from RMG Ghana Limited to support the farmers on the Farmers’ Day Celebration.
RMG, an agri-input company focused on providing quality inputs presented bio stimulants, folia fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides to the Ministry in support of the Farmers’ Day Celebration.
Presenting the items, the Head of Sales of RMG, Henry Asabre said supporting the farmers during Farmers’ Day has been the company’s trademark.
He asserted that the aim of the company is to provide good input to the farmers to ensure quality yield, the more there is good yields, the more food security is ensured.
He noted that there are a lot of influx of fake inputs in the systems that derail food quality in the country. To him, this has made it difficult for the farmers to ascertain quality inputs, however, RMG’s mandate is to bridge the gap by getting the quality inputs to the doorsteps of the farmer.
He acknowledged the farmers for their support for feeding the country and assured of the company’s support to produce quality inputs to enhance quality production in the country.
Receiving the items, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku acclaimed RMG for the good gesture.
He extoled the company for the good products they distribute to the farmers. According to him, farmers have lauded the company’s products for good and quality yields.
He assured that the inputs and the money would be appropriately distribute to the deserving farmers during the day of the celebration.
He called other input dealers to fellow suit and their donation to celebrate the famers for their hard work to ensuring food security in Ghana.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has denied allegations of government increasing District Chief Executives (DCEs) and Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) salaries to 67%.
Hon. Opoku’s comments came amidst growing concerns about the cost of living in Ghana and the need for government officials to lead by example.
Speaking to the media, Hon. Opoku emphasized that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has not raised salaries for these positions since taking office.
He explained that DCEs and MCEs are captured under Article 71 of the constitution, and on 2011 a committee called Ewurama Committee was set up and upon the report, it was suggested that the MCEs and DCEs are to be pushed to award point 55 which every year their salaries should be increase by 10%.
He highlighted that before NDC left office in 2016, every DCE or MCE was received a salary of GH¢16,445, but the previous government refused to pay the 10% increment until the last government’s local government Minister, Hon. Dan Botwe, approved the 10% increment, increasing their salary and ex gratia from GH¢16,445 GH¢32,000.
The Minister urged for a 55% salary increase, implying a 10% annual increment, to address the compensation gap for these officials.
“We are pushing for a 55% increase, which translates to a 10% annual increment, to ensure that our DCEs and MCEs are fairly compensated for their work,” Hon. stated.
As Minister, Opoku has been vocal about agricultural development, focusing on initiatives like the Poultry Farm to the Table Programme and the Feed Ghana Programme to boost food production and reduce imports.
His stance on DCE and MCE salaries reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and fair compensation.
The proposed salary increase for DCEs and MCEs is expected to be discussed by the government and stakeholders in the coming weeks.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has undertaken an inspection tour of the Ho Stadium, the designated venue for the 41st National Farmers’ Day Celebration, scheduled for 5th December 2024 in the Volta Regional capital.
The Minister was accompanied by the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The visit formed part of government’s preparations to ensure the successful hosting of the national event, which celebrates Ghana’s hardworking farmers and fishers.
Hon. Opoku expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation at the stadium. After touring the facility—including the pitch, seating areas, parking spaces, and designated exhibition zones—he commended the regional authorities and the local organizing committee for the work done so far.
He noted that the Ho Stadium offered a conducive and well-positioned environment for this year’s celebrations.
The Minister also announced that the Ministry would replace all broken seats in the stadium as part of efforts to enhance safety and create additional seating space for guests and members of the general public who will attend the ceremony.
He emphasized government’s commitment to providing a comfortable and secure venue for the thousands expected to participate in the national event.
This year’s Farmers’ Day celebration will not only feature the main awards ceremony but will also host a variety of exhibition stands, where agribusinesses, innovators, and farmer groups will showcase products, technologies, and services within the agricultural value chain.
The stadium also provides a spacious parking area to accommodate VIPs, dignitaries, invited guests, and the general public.
Ahead of the national event, a five-day seminar for key stakeholders in the agricultural sector was held in Ho.
The seminar brought together policy makers, farmers, researchers, extension officers, and private sector actors to deliberate on key issues confronting the sector and to propose solutions for enhancing food security and productivity.
The 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration is expected to draw participants from across the country, as the nation once again honors and rewards its most outstanding farmers and fishers for their contribution to Ghana’s economy and food systems.
Fruit producers, Processors, Exporters, representatives from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Crop Services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and Development partners from the dried fruit sector convened at the La Palm Royal Beach to deliberate on strategies to unearth the full potential of the sector.
The high-level meeting was under the Ghana Dried Fruits project, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) with local coordination by Knox Consulting Limited to bring sector actors together to address bottlenecks and bring holistic solutions to build a resilient export fruit sector.
The workshop was a sequel to many successful ones organised to foster collaboration among sector actors.
The theme for the workshop; “Export Demand for Processed Fruits and Raw Material Supply” seeks to provide the platform for stakeholders to strategise on how Ghana’s raw material supply chain for fruits can be better organised to meet the growing export demand of the European Union (EU) and other high-end markets.
The workshop provided opportunities for individuals to share experiences and best practices, as well as explore strategies to enhance competitiveness along the value chain.
The Ministry commended private partners that adopt sustainable practices and inclusive models to drive the country towards its development agenda.
The CBI Program Manager, Femke Dekker, in her opening remarks noted that the aim of the project is to foster sustainable growth within Ghana’s processed fruits and vegetables industry with a particular focus on the dried fruits sector.
She emphasised that ensuring the sector remains attractive and rewarding for the next generation is essential for long-term development.
“By bringing key actors together, “we aim to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive value chain that meets buyer expectations and strengthens the connection between Ghana and international markets,” she stated.
The Managing Partner, Mrs. Sheila Assibey-Yeboah, represented Knox Consulting Limited, the National Coordinator of the CBI Dried Fruits Project, noted that “the workshop represents a significant step towards positioning Ghana as a reliable supplier of quality raw materials that meet EU standards and other global markets.
Mrs. Assibey-Yeboah underscored the importance of empowering local enterprises to thrive in the export market, highlighting that doing so will strengthen collaboration among sector actors, create opportunities for youth and vulnerable groups, as well as enable women to take leadership roles in making Ghana a leading source of quality raw materials.”
Dr. Solomon Gyan-Ansah, the Director of the Crop Services Directorate at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, stated that Ghana could significantly benefit from the rising global demand for dried and processed fruits.
Ghana has a strong competitive edge due to its favorable growing conditions, high-quality fruit varieties, reliable supply chains, and supportive policies and regulations.
In a presentation by the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Mr. Raymond Rashid Kramer, it was stated that GEPA has commenced the Ghana Trade House initiative to promote made-in-Ghana processed goods abroad.
According to Mr. Raymond Rashid Kramer, his outfit has established physical trade houses abroad to promote market access, develop a business climate, enhance product visibility, and facilitate the economic integration of Ghanaian commodities.
“The goal is to boost non-traditional exports, foster to boost non-traditional exports, foster economic integration, and promote made in Ghana goods,” he added.
The workshop brought together the Ghanaian delegation who participated in the Anuga 2025 Conference held in Germany to share their experiences with value chain actors in the fruit sector.
In the wake of the destruction of several forest reserves by illegal miners, the European Union in Ghana has awarded a €2.4 million grant to support four forest restoration projects across the country.
Stakeholders are optimistic that this intervention will not only help restore degraded forest reserves but also improve the livelihoods of farmers living within the affected areas.
Ghana’s forest reserves have come under severe threat from the activities of illegal miners, popularly known as galamsey. In several forests in the Ahafo, Bono East, Upper East, and Western Regions, the situation has been further compounded by illegal logging and recurring wildfires.
To help tackle this challenge, the European Union has provided €2.4 million in grants to three not-for-profit organisations to support the restoration of about 5,000 hectares of forest.
According to the Head of Infrastructure and Sustainable Development at the EU Delegation to Ghana, Paulina Pozycka, the increasing degradation of forest reserves poses serious risks to ecosystems, local economies, and surrounding communities, and must therefore be addressed urgently.
“The EU is happy to back Ghana’s forest restoration policy, and it is happy to contribute to the government effort to achieve the sustainable development, and the forest are part of it. The forest is the opportunity of livelihood for many people,” she said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the project launch, she added that the initiative also includes building the capacity of 20,000 farmers in rural communities to help improve their livelihoods.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) is urging the government to adopt far more radical measures in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), including the declaration of a state of emergency in high-risk mining areas.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its Annual Plenary Assembly held in Damongo in the Savannah Region, the Conference described the scale of ecological destruction caused by galamsey as “a profound moral crisis and a spiritual challenge.”
The Bishops stressed that a synodal Church recognises creation not as a resource to be exploited, but as “a covenantal partner deserving of respect and care.”
According to the communiqué, recent figures show Ghana has lost more than 5,252 hectares of forest reserves to illegal mining in 2025 alone, while 44 out of 288 forest reserves are now considered degraded. An estimated 75% of the country’s rivers are polluted, largely due to mercury and cyanide used in unregulated mining operations.
While acknowledging initiatives such as the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Bishops said the scale of devastation demands a more aggressive national response.
They called on President John Dramani Mahama to announce tougher interventions, including:
A state of emergency in high-risk illegal mining zones.
Swift and impartial prosecution of offenders, regardless of political ties.
Full reclamation of lands destroyed by illegal and irresponsible mining.
Transparent national reporting on water quality, forest cover, and food safety.
The GCBC also commended chiefs and queen mothers who have taken bold stands against illegal mining in their communities, urging others to follow suit.
They further appealed to all citizens to take ownership of the fight, saying Ghana’s land and water bodies must be “sanitised and healed” for the sake of current and future generations.
