Kumasi, Ghana – The Emergency Support to Rural Livelihoods & Food Systems Exposed to COVID-19 (ESRF) Project is nearing its conclusion, prompting the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to organize a Closure Conference.
This event showcased the impactful initiatives undertaken and brought together officials, stakeholders, and beneficiaries from across the country.
The project alleviated, among other things, the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on 54,349 vulnerable smallholder farmers and food systems, across 48,886 households.
Dr. Hayford Baah-Adade, the National Project Coordinator for ESRF, remarked, “The exit conference was a critical moment to reflect on our successes and related plans. It is essential that the progress we have achieved is safeguarded, and that local institutions take responsibility moving forward.”
The project comprised three core components: combating hunger, strengthening rural marketing connections and food security, and ensuring effective project management with an ArcGIS system for monitoring and evaluation.
Key infrastructure improvements were made to facilitate farmers’ access to markets, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve post-harvest management, reflecting a holistic strategy toward food security.
At the conference, participants were briefed on the project’s key accomplishments, highlighting significant interventions like water harvesting systems, boreholes for drinking water, poultry farming initiatives, and the distribution of vital supplies such as fertilizers and quality seeds.
Additionally, a functional ArcGIS Monitoring and Evaluation System was established to promote transparency and accountability.
While celebrating its successes, the conference also fostered discussions on sustainability, emphasizing strategies for maintaining and expanding these achievements.
Key stakeholder institutions were identified to oversee these efforts after the program ends, underlining the necessity of continuing, replication and scaling up of interventions for community benefit.
Panel discussions featured representatives from the District Department of Agriculture (DDA), Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, Department of Feeder Roads, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP), each sharing insights from their collaboration with the ESRF Project.
Topics included the effects of digital marketing, agro-processing opportunities for women and youth, and the maintenance of critical agricultural infrastructure such as farm tracks and irrigation systems.
Attendees received a comprehensive report detailing all interventions and achievements, along with a video presentation that visually documented the project’s milestones and impacts.
The Closure Conference served as an essential platform for stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to supporting rural livelihoods and food systems, ensuring that the progress made is both preserved and enhanced in the future.
As Ghana confronts the intertwined challenges of the pandemic and climate change, this collaborative approach stands to strengthen food security and resilience for its most vulnerable populations.
Going into the 2024 election, major political parties in Ghana and independent candidates vying for the presidential position have vowed their commitment to improving agriculture in the country.
In a forum organized under the auspices of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, with support from STAR Ghana, under the Social Accountability in agricultural policy framework, in partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs) and other farmer organizations, a Political Parties Accountability Forum on Agriculture was held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, Accra.
The major political parties, movements, and independent candidates made available representatives to speak on matters relating to agriculture in their manifestos, which they intend to implement when given the mandate in the coming elections.
The parties that had representation were the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), Movement for Change, and George Twum Barimah, an independent candidate.
Representing the National Democratic Congress was spokesperson for Agriculture/Director of Interparty & CSO Relations, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor. The NDC spokesperson for Agriculture affirmed the party’s commitment to making the agriculture sector thrive.
He indicated that “As you may be aware, the NDC, knowing the importance of farmers and all other stakeholders, has set up a department that leads the relations of identifiable groups and so on”.
“So it’s our principle and our policy that moving forward, our implementation of the Resetting Ghana manifesto will be done in direct partnership with you (Farmers). And the PFAG is a significant part of the partners we (NDC) are going to leverage to implement our agricultural for economic transformation agenda.”
“We want to drive development in this country with agriculture, and we believe agriculture is the only sector that, when it grows, impacts both industry and the service sector. So we are going to put all our energies into this sector, to make sure agriculture works, food is available, the farmer becomes profitable, and the farmer is able to take care of himself and his family. Then we are also able to take care of the economy, build our economy, solidify our currency, and be able to compete on the global stage,” Dr. Otokunor further explained.
He highlighted major policies from the NDC manifesto on agriculture that the party will implement when voted into power. He affirmed that the NDC policy, dubbed agriculture for economic transformation, encompasses food availability, food affordability, food accessibility, and utilization of food.
He further noted that convenience is also another factor considered, which is where agro-processing comes in.
He reiterated that the NDC has farmers at heart and urged that coming December 7, all farmers should support the National Democratic Congress, so they can win the elections and offer farmers what is stated in their manifesto.
Speaking on behalf of the New Patriotic Party was a member of the party’s agriculture manifesto team, Moses Anim. He affirmed the commitment the party has for farmers.
He said, “On behalf of Bawumia, we commit to what we have presented as our manifesto. We commit to your interests as well and want to assure you (Farmers) that we will keep engaging with you, so that on implementation, it will be a guide or a reminder. So keep pushing us to ensure that we win.”
He explained their manifesto to the farmers and stakeholders gathered at the forum. He centered the party’s position on agriculture on mechanized farming and irrigation farming, which will help facilitate year-round farming, although he explained a series of policies in their manifesto.
Mr. Courage Nobi, the Deputy Director for Policy at the Movement for Change, also affirmed Alan Kyeremateng’s commitment to agriculture. He stated, “On behalf of Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng, we commit to formulate agricultural policies based on the plan that we have, that will make the peasant farmer thrive, and will make agriculture attractive, leading to Ghana having food sovereignty. Any policy in the agricultural sector today that is inimical to the peasant farmer will be abolished to ensure a good environment that supports agriculture.”
He also explained the Movement’s policy on agriculture, centering their approach on improving agriculture by ending illegal mining within one year of assuming office. He highlighted that a country that cannot feed its citizens is not a sovereign state.
Independent candidate George Twum Barimah Adu was represented by his vice-presidential candidate, Mr. Nyaaba-Aweeba Azongo, who stated, “Agric for Wealth is our flagship policy. And Agric for Wealth being our flagship policy indicates that we are committed to farmers. We are not here to just present something on agriculture”.
“We don’t have a manifesto; we are guided by the directive principles of state policy, which is a legally binding document that mandates the president upon assumption of office to come out with a blueprint on agricultural development—not just a blueprint, but a planning framework that will allow all of you. We are saying that we are moving from changing the paradigm from planning for you to planning with you.”
He also touted their policies on addressing imbalances in agriculture and using agriculture as a mechanism to drive wealth for all.
Presenting the general overview of the current state of agriculture and its impact on smallholder farmers, the former Executive Director of PFAG, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, highlighted the food security situation in Ghana.
He said that according to the WFP, an estimated 1.05 million people faced acute food insecurity between June and August 2024, an improvement from the 2023 figure of 1.37 million people.
Additionally, Ghana’s food security situation is a mix of progress and ongoing challenges; although the country is self-sufficient in some commodities such as cassava, maize, peanuts, cabbage, millet, yam, and plantain, it still depends on imports for critical staples such as tomatoes, pepper, onions, rice, and poultry (MoFA 2024).
Moreover, in this year, Ghana imports about 70% of onions, costing US$2 million weekly, and 90% of fresh tomatoes, estimated at $400 million from Burkina Faso in 2023. In 2023, the country consumed 300,000 MT of poultry, valued at approximately US$400 million, with 95% of this supply being imported.
According to the Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana, this value is enough to address all the challenges in the poultry value chain.He also highlighted the challenges in the sector, stating that high production costs, including input costs, have increased by more than 30% (fertilizers and agrochemicals). Mechanization costs have also risen to about 30%, along with fuel and energy costs and non-availability of labor.
Other challenges include difficulty in accessing credit, limited irrigation (with a limited number of dams, siltation of existing dams, and poor construction of dams), poor implementation of government projects, the impact of illegal mining (galamsey), which has affected over 2 million peasant farmers, and the impact of climate change (unreliable rainfall patterns, drought, flooding on some occasions, and the emergence of pests and diseases).
Additional issues include poor market infrastructure (leading to high post-harvest losses of perishable commodities such as cabbage, watermelons, cassava, and plantain), a lack of commitment to agricultural development (evident through the removal of import duties on agricultural commodities, high taxes, and the high cost of doing business in the agricultural sector), and poor rural infrastructure (characterized by inadequate feeder roads in many farming communities, limited warehousing facilities, and high energy costs).
There is also limited support in research and development that promotes agricultural modernization.
Meanwhile, the Acting Executive Director of PFAG, in his opening remarks, affirmed the purpose of the forum: “It is our hope that by the end of this forum, farmers, input dealers, civil society, the private sector, and the general public will have had a clear understanding of the plans presented by these parties to help them make informed decisions on election day.”
The Catholic Church has declared it will not accept donations derived from proceeds of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey in Ghana.
This decision is part of broader sanctions aimed at addressing the involvement of church members in illegal mining activities.
Speaking at the Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference, the President of the Bishops Conference, Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, emphasised the Church’s firm stance on the issue.
He revealed that the Church is prepared to impose stricter sanctions, including denying Holy Communion to members who persist in illegal mining activities.
“We will not accept any donations that are the fruit of illegal mining. The sanctions will be tightened further even to the extent that if you openly engage in galamsey, after a series of advice and you persist in that dangerous activity, we may even refuse you Holy Communion,” he stated.
Most Rev Gyamfi stressed that the Church would issue warnings before imposing such sanctions but reiterated that any money from illegal mining would be rejected outright.
“We do not consider that the Lord will not accept such a gift, we will refuse it immediately. You will be warned and if you persist in it, other sanctions will come in,” he said.
Most Rev Gyamfi also called on the public to take an active role in combating illegal mining and protecting natural resources.
He urged local communities to prevent illegal miners from destroying their lands and polluting water bodies.
“The people should take it into their own hands to protect their land and should not allow somebody from somewhere to come and destroy their water.
“This whole thing that we are talking about – about the government doing this, is it the government that is polluting the water? It is even some of us in the local communities who are doing this galamsey. Then we say the government should come and save us from ourselves. No,” he added.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$ 3.6 million contribution (over 58.3 million Ghanaian cedis) from the United States, and the United Kingdom to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to 70,000 drought-affected people in northern Ghana.
The USAID and FCDO donations come at a critical time when food prices are at a record high, exacerbated by large-scale crop and livestock production losses due to extended weeks of reduced precipitation affecting significant areas in northern Ghana. The contribution will allow WFP to provide cash transfers to almost 70,000 Ghanaians, including minority groups, helping them meet their basic food and nutrition needs.
“With the staple food prices going up higher and out of the reach of the majority of families, this contribution is so timely. WFP is grateful for U.S. and U.K. Governments’ continued support to Ghanaian families in need,” said WFP’s Country Director and Representative in Ghana, Aurore Rusiga.
In Ghana, over one million people (around 3 percent of the total population) are estimated to be affected by severe drought in the eight of the 16 regions in Ghana including Bono, Bono East, Oti, Northern, North-East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West. Most of the communities affected are struggling to access food due to price increases, weak financial capacities, low seasonal production and earlier than normal depletion of households’ food stocks.
In response, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Kingdom, through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), are joining forces with WFP providing 27 million Ghanaian cedis ($1.7 million) and 20 million Ghanaian cedis (USD 1.9 million) respectively to address the most acute needs of affected communities.
“This partnership represents our collective efforts to support Ghanaians during times of crisis,” said USAID/Ghana Mission Director, Kimberly Rosen. “The United States will continue to provide assistance to those who need it most, especially in climate-vulnerable countries like Ghana.”
“The UK, alongside the US and WFP, is providing critical assistance to protect thousands of families affected by the very serious impacts of the dry spell in Northern Ghana. We know that investments now can help protect families’ nutrition, their assets, and their ability to recover. We will continue to coordinate closely with the Government of Ghana’s own response, as well as with all efforts to build longer term climate resilience and food security”, said UK Development Director to Ghana, Richard Sandall.
The United States and the United Kingdom are among the largest donors to WFP Ghana having been supporting families across the country to fight hunger, improve their nutrition, and rebuild their lives.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today launched its 2024 Statistical Yearbook, offering an in-depth overview of the most significant trends shaping global agrifood systems. This year’s edition highlights critical challenges, including increased temperatures over land, the ongoing global struggle with food insecurity alongside increasing obesity rates, and the environmental pressures faced by agricultural production.
Drawing on a wealth of data collected by FAO statisticians, the publication synthesizes the key factors influencing global agrifood systems. The 2024 edition is structured into four thematic chapters covering: the economic dimensions of agriculture; the production, trade, and prices of commodities; food security and nutrition; and sustainability and environmental aspects of agriculture.
“Timely, accurate and high-quality data and statistics are the cornerstone of solid policy design,” said José Rosero Moncayo, FAO Chief Statistician and Director of the Statistics Division. “This edition of the FAO Statistical Yearbook presents newly released country-level estimates on employment in agrifood systems as a sign of the transition of FAO statistics to consistently inform about the state of agrifood systems in the world. It also features a new dataset on dietary-related data, which is an important achievement to understand what people eat and how this affects nutritional outcomes.”
Key highlights:
• Global agricultural value has increased by 89 percent in real terms over the past two decades, reaching $3.8 trillion in 2022. Despite this growth, agriculture’s contribution to global economic output has remained relatively stable, and the proportion of the global workforce employed in agriculture has decreased, from 40 percent in 2000 to 26 percent in 2022.
• Food production has continued to rise, but hunger remains a persistent issue. In 2023, between 713 and 757 million people were undernourished. Considering the mid-range (733 million), this is about 152 million more people than in 2019. The majority of the undernourished people lives in Asia, even though the prevalence of undernourishment is highest in Africa.
• Obesity rates are also rising, particularly in high-income regions. Over 25 percent of adults in the Americas, Europe and Oceania are obese, reflecting the global challenge of ensuring access to healthy, nutritious food.
• The global production of primary crops reached 9.6 billion tonnes in 2022, an increase of 56 percent compared to 2000Staple crops such as sugar cane, maize, wheat and rice together account for nearly half of global crop production.
• Meat production increased by 55 percent from 2000 to 2022, with chicken accounting for the largest share of this rise. In 2022, 361 million tonnes of meat were produced globally, with chicken surpassing pork as the most produced meat.
• The use of pesticides increased by 70 percent between 2000 and 2022, with the Americas accounting for half of the global pesticide use in 2022.
• Inorganic fertilizers used in agriculture reached 185 million tonnes of nutrients in 2022, with 58 percent of this amount being nitrogen. This represents an increase of 37 percent compared with 2000.
• The production of vegetable oils grew by 133 percent between 2000 and 2021, largely driven by an increase in palm oil production.
• Greenhouse gas emissions from agrifood systems have risen by 10 percent between 2000 and 2022. Farm-gate emissions increased by 15 percent over the same period, with livestock contributing to around 54 percent of these emissions.
• Water scarcity remains a growing concern in regions such as the Near East and North Africa, where many countries face extreme water stress, impacting the sustainability of agricultural production. Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are withdrawing each year 9 to almost 40 times their renewable freshwater resources available.
The 2024 Statistical Yearbook is also available in a digital, interactive format and comes with a companion pocketbook, offering a clear reference to key data on agriculture, food security, and sustainability. It is part of FAO’s ongoing effort to improve data accessibility, complementing the FAOSTAT platform, which hosts the world’s largest collection of free agricultural statistics, covering over 245 countries and territories.
The Statistical Yearbook serves as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, analysts, and anyone interested in understanding the current state and future trajectory of global food and agriculture.
The 2024 Statistical Yearbook is being launched on African Statistics Day. The day was first adopted in 1990 at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers for Planning and Economic Development and is celebrated each year on 18 November.
Farmer Anthony Morrison, the CEO of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana.
The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana has urged the government of Ghana to reconsider the silo project and engage stakeholders in a comprehensive review of the project’s cost, location, and design, as they believe that a more inclusive and sustainable approach to agricultural development will better serve Ghana’s food security needs.
The Chamber made this declaration in a statement dated November 17, 2024, and signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, Anthony Kofituo Morrison.
The Chief Executive Officer stated that the Chamber expressed disagreement with the government’s plan to construct a 60,000-tonne grain silo, as was announced by Agriculture Minister, Hon. Bryan Acheampong.
“While we appreciate the government’s efforts to address food security concerns, we believe that the project’s cost and location require urgent review. The Chamber is very concerned with the project cost, the $64 million price tag, considering the current economic climate and competing priorities for agricultural development. This amount could be re-aligned to allocate a portion to support farmers, improve irrigation systems, deploy post-harvest infrastructures, and enhance agricultural research”. Anthony Morrison said.
The Chamber’s research indicated that regions, such as the Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Volta, and Upper West Regions, are the primary hubs for maize and rice production.
” Investing in grain silos in these regions would yield greater economic benefits and have a more significant impact on the country’s food security”, Anthony Morrison stated highlighting that the current project’s location and a strategic reserve of this nature require careful consideration of accessibility, storage facilities, and transportation networks.
“We fear that a poorly chosen location could lead to inefficiencies and increased costs”. The Chamber Outlaid their fears.
The Chamber reiterated that analysis also reveals that the Eastern Region, particularly Kwahu is not a major grain-producing area in Ghana.
The region’s agricultural production primarily focuses on fruits, vegetables, cocoa, roots, and tubers rather than grains.
Expert’s research findings indicated that “Investing in grain storage infrastructure is crucial, but location and cost are critical factors to consider”.
Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana further gave some statistics on grain production in Ghana, highlighting that in 2023, Ghana produced 3.7 million tons of maize and the major producing regions were Brong-Ahafo (30%), Ashanti (20%), and Upper West (15%) and Average yield was 1.5-2.5 tons/ha.
On Rice Production in Ghana, 1.9 million tons of rice was produced in 2023, and the major producing regions were Volta (60%), Northern (20%), and Upper West (10%) and the Average yield was 2-3 tons/ha.
“As a Policy, technical, and trade advisory Chamber, we recommend exploring re-aligned solutions with strategic prioritization for utmost impact, instead of investing in a single, large-scale silo”. The Chamber highlighted.
The Chamber further reiterated that there are several experts and research findings out there that show that “Investing in grain storage infrastructure is crucial, but location, capacity, and cost are critical factors to consider.”
The decentralization of storage facilities across major production zones, Smaller, community-based storage units that reduce transportation costs and increase accessibility.
“Public-private partnerships and strategic collaborations that leverage private sector expertise and funding to improve agricultural infrastructure”. The CEO said.
The Chamber thereby urged the government to construct silos in major grain-producing regions, and also invest in irrigation infrastructure to increase grain production.
Also, the Government must enhance farmer capacity building and extension services.
The Chamber while proposing the above recommendations also emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in providing critical support for government initiatives.
A study by major Agriculture research organizations found that investing in grain storage infrastructure in major producing regions can reduce post-harvest losses by up to 30%.
The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana believes that a more strategic approach to this project will ensure that Ghana’s agricultural sector receives the support it needs to thrive.
Again, the Chamber calls on the government to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to determine the most suitable location for the grain silos.
Also, engage stakeholders, including farmers, traders, and agribusinesses, to ensure that the project aligns with the needs of the industry.
The government must explore public-private partnerships to reduce the financial burden and also prioritize investments in regions with high grain production potential.
The Chamber was alarmed that in 2022, Ghana’s rice imports were valued at $560 million, with major sources being Vietnam, Thailand, India, China, and Pakistan.
They gave the breakdown of Rice Import, stating that Ghana imported $349 million from Vietnam, $53.3 million from Thailand, $50.9 million from India, and China, and $21.7 million and $21.2 million from Pakistan.
The Chamber further indicated that Ghana imported 1.3 million tons of paddy rice in 2020, compared to 1 million tons produced locally. The country spends between $300 million and $500 million annually on rice imports.
Ghana’s maize imports have varied over the years. In 2023, the country imported $13.4 million worth of maize, with the top trading partners being Argentina (58%), South Africa (19.1%), Brazil (8.7%), USA (6.83%), and India (3.82%).
Interestingly, Ghana also exports maize, albeit in smaller quantities. In 2023, the country exported $987,699 worth of maize, with Malawi being the largest recipient (96% of total exports)
The Chamber again gave the breakdown of Ghana’s maize imports, by country of origin, stating that the country imports 58% of maize, worth $7.8 million, from Argentina, South Africa 19.1% ($2.57 million), Brazil 8.7% ($1.16 million), USA 6.83% ($915 thousand) and India 3.82% ($512 thousand)
Additionally, Ghana’s maize imports have fluctuated over the years, with significant increases in 2012 ($37.8 million) and 2018 ($22.8 million).
The Chamber believes that a more strategic approach to this project will ensure that Ghana’s agricultural sector receives the support it needs to thrive.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has said that Ghana’s Tree Crop Sector is vital to agriculture and the economy growth, affirming that the sector is generating income of over 1.6 million farming households, including commercial producers beyond cocoa.
He stated that the sector offers significant opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, poverty reduction, food security, foreign exchange earnings, and a substantial contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Minister made this revelation during the launch of the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project on November 14, 2024, at Kempinski Hotel, Accra.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency, Dr. Bryan Acheampong indicated that despite Ghana having ample arable land for cocoa production, it faces significant threats from deforestation, climate change, and other environmental issues, leading to a marked decline in suitable land.
“The sector also confronts challenges, primarily low productivity despite increased output. Poor coordination, limited technical capacity, and insufficient negotiating power hinder farmers’ effectiveness.
Additionally, awareness and adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) among producers remain low”.
“There is growing concern over widespread child labor in cocoa and other agricultural sectors, although Ghana has enacted comprehensive child labor laws and made notable progress in reducing this issue,” Bryan Acheampong added.
He stated that to enhance tree crop development, the Government of Ghana will promote a dual strategy, focusing on cocoa and other strategic tree crops.
For the Cocoa Sector, the Minister said that the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has implemented its second Cocoa Sector Development Strategy (CSDS-II) for 2017-2027.
This new strategy will address the shortcomings of the first strategy, which primarily aimed at increasing productivity but failed to adequately tackle Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) and lacked management information systems.
He affirmed the CSDS-II focus, hammering on modernizing the industry to improve competitiveness and resilience, with interventions aimed at enhancing productivity, efficiency, innovation, and quality management, along with traceability and certification.
He again indicated the plan for the other Tree Crops, stating that in 2019, the Government established the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), which launched a five-year development strategy in 2022 targeting six priority crops: cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm.
This strategy aims to regulate and sustainably develop the production, processing, and trade of these tree crops and is articulated around four key strategic and operational areas: research support, production and value chain support including commercialization, capacity building, and licensing and regulation.He affirmed the government’s commitment to the project, stating that the Government of Ghana has secured a $200 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group (WBG) to finance a six-year initiative called the “Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP).”
The Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (GTCDP) is managed by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) under the supervision of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).
The Minister of Food and Agriculture highlighted the objectives of the project, affirming that it will support sector-wide activities, reforms, and investments in priority agro-ecological areas to maximize effectiveness.
The project will enhance the national institutional framework and governance of the tree crops sector for sustainable economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
Additionally, it will promote inclusivity by improving governance and management within the sector, with a focus on women and youth, while strengthening the capacity of key institutions.
“Leverage existing national institutions—such as MOFA, COCOBOD, TCDA, National Agriculture Research Institutions (NARIs), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)—to scale up ongoing initiatives in tree crop development,” Bryan Acheampong indicated.
Speaking on the beneficiaries of the project, the Minister of Food and Agriculture said the project will directly benefit cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber farmers, improving productivity and incomes for 52,775 farmers and their households.
“Approximately 40% of these beneficiaries will be women, located across 11 districts in six regions: Western North, Eastern, Savanna, Bono, Bono East, and Eastern”. He added.
Additionally, the project will support five to ten input suppliers and ten nurseries. Through matching grants, technical assistance, and improved access to markets, an estimated 185 small and medium-sized enterprises involved in processing cocoa, cashews, and coconuts will also benefit.
Indirectly, local communities and cooperatives will gain from enhanced institutional capacity, including better levy collection by TCDA and capacity building by COCOBOD, which will lead to improved research and development, child labor safeguards, and expanded market services.
The project is expected to create around 20,000 jobs at an investment of $4,200 per job, with a significant focus on employing women (60%) and engaging youth.
This initiative has the potential to transform the cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber value chains by connecting downstream and upstream actors.
Echoing the sentiment of the Minister of Food and Agriculture was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tree Crops Development Authority, William Agyapong Quaittoo. The CEO also said that the tree-crop sector holds significant potential for economic diversification and sustainable transformation.
He indicated that historically, cocoa has been the major cash crop and a vital source of foreign exchange for Ghana for over a century.
However, the sector faces systemic challenges such as low productivity, poor quality of produce, price volatility, limited access to finance and markets, and an inadequate regulatory environment, all of which hinder competitiveness and sustainability.
He stated that despite these challenges, Ghana’s tree crops sector has considerable opportunities for growth and increased export revenue. To capitalize on this potential, the Government of Ghana established the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) through Parliamentary Act 1010 in 2019.
“The TCDA is tasked with regulating and promoting sustainable production, processing, and trading of tree crops. Its aim is to create a highly developed, diversified, value-added, and globally competitive tree crops industry in Ghana. The priority crops outlined in Act 1010 include cashew, coconut, mango, oil palm, rubber, and shea,” the CEO said.
He noted that the Tree Crops Development Authority, as a regulatory body operating in a dynamic environment, has developed a five-year strategy and implementation plan (2022-2027) to address emerging challenges.
The plan emphasizes mobilizing resources through strategic partnerships with both the public and private sectors, as well as Ghana’s development partners, to strengthen the tree crop sector.
The strategy establishes a framework for transforming the tree crops industry, aligning with Ghana’s goal of inclusive economic growth.
He said that the strategy specifically focuses on promoting a sustainable supply chain through demand-driven research and development, value chain support, institutional capacity building to create sustainable systems, and an enabling policy and regulatory environment to attract private sector investment.
The Country Director, World Bank, Mr. Robert Taliercio O’Brien, also at the launch, stated that the project, co-designed by the Government of Ghana and the World Bank, focuses on diversification into tree crops with much emphasis on productivity and market access improvements; enhancement of private sector competitiveness in value addition and processing based on commodity market demand; as well as institutional strengthening and value chain governance, sustainable intensification approaches and planning; market scoping to identify buyers of certified cocoa; preparation of market contracting; assessment of private investment in post-harvest processes and infrastructure for value addition; and identification of financing mechanisms.
He said, “Through this project, the World Bank, with a US$200 million credit facility from the International Development Association (IDA), will support key value chains such as cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber, by providing critical resources, knowledge, and expertise.”
“These interventions aim to support the Government of Ghana’s efforts to diversify and grow the economy by modernizing agriculture, accelerating industrialization, and prioritizing climate resilience and mitigation.
They align with the objectives of the National Medium-Term Development Policy Framework (2022–2025) and the “Ghana Beyond Aid” reform agenda (2019–2028),” Mr. Robert Taliercio O’Brien said.
“The World Bank is proud to be a partner in this important initiative. Our long-standing commitment to Ghana’s development, particularly in the agricultural sector, aligns perfectly with the objectives of the GTCDP,” the Country Director highlighted.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has alleged that a total of 22,000 bags of expired and repackaged rice were distributed to various Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.
He claimed that the consignment was distributed through the Free Senior High School Secretariat in February this year.
The MP, who also serves as the head of the Assurances Committee in Parliament, said in his personal investigation into the matter, after receiving a tip-off, the action was deliberately carried out.
According to him, “The National Food Buffer Stock Company clearly conspired with a company known as Lamens Investments Africa Limited. They used the Buffer Stock storage facility in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region, to repackage expired rice. This company brought in rice from India, the brand ‘Moshosho rice’, which expired in December 2023. Upon realising the rice had expired, they conspired with the Buffer Stock company to use their premises for re-bagging.”
He explained that the rice was repackaged into locally made sacks, “with inscription ‘ECOWAS’, ‘Made in Ghana rice’, but without an expiry date.”
Mr Okudzeto made these statements during an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Thursday, 14th November.
He also revealed that the Ashanti Regional Police Command and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the region, upon receiving a tip-off, intercepted the food for investigation. However, it was later released for onward distribution.
“Can you believe that, before the test results arrived from the FDA in Accra on 6th February, an instruction came from above that the expired, contaminated rice should be distributed to the schools? So, as we speak, all 22,000 bags of rice that the police sought to confiscate have been sent to the schools,” he said.
The MP further alleged that approximately “10,000 bags were kept in a bonded warehouse in Tema, known as Lynbrok.”
According to the MP, after the exposure of the case, an investigation was launched but was later abandoned when the said company offered to pay compensation of GH₵100,000.
He said, “There ought to be prosecution. The company has admitted to their wrongdoing and agreed to pay a fine of GH₵100,000 after jeopardising the health of thousands of Ghanaian students.”
He added that the company had not paid the full fine and could not be traced. “Even the fine – they have only paid half of it, and they can’t be located to pay the remainder,” he claimed.
The rice, according to the FDA’s results, was “so contaminated, it had insects and a very high acidity level. Medical doctors who have seen the FDA results say that this rice should have been destroyed.” the MP said.
The MP is therefore calling for a full investigation into the matter and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Fisheries Commission and Ghana’s 66 Artillery Regiment to launch a youth training program focused on fish farming.
This partnership aims to equip young Ghanaians with valuable aquaculture skills, contributing to economic growth and employment.
Speaking at the signing event, YEA CEO Kofi Baah Agyepong emphasized the agency’s dedication to job creation and skill development.
“This MoU represents our shared commitment to create jobs through innovative ideas in a booming market,” he stated.
“The fundamental mandate of the YEA is to create jobs, and we continue to achieve this across diverse sectors.”
The YEA will fund the training, aiming to enrol 1,000 youth in the initial phase, with each participant receiving a monthly stipend of GH¢500 for basic living expenses.
Mr Agyepong also highlighted the broader impact of YEA’s initiatives, noting that the agency has trained 10,000 youth across various technical skills, with an additional 10,000 currently training in trades like tiling, plumbing, auto mechanics, and IT.
“We’re building people up with skill development and entrepreneurship across the nation,” he added.
A representative from the Fisheries Commission connected the program to the Commission’s “Aquaculture for Food and Jobs” initiative, which seeks to boost fish production and provide decent jobs.
“Our vision is to increase fish production and create jobs for youth and women,” the representative said.
“This collaboration with YEA will help us realize that vision.”
Lt. Colonel Jalali Din Ibrahim of the 66 Artillery Regiment also expressed pride in the partnership, pledging the regiment’s support for the program’s success.
“We’re pleased to collaborate and help this project reach its full potential,” he remarked.
This aquaculture initiative is part of YEA’s broader strategy to tackle unemployment through skill development, with fish farming identified as a sector with strong growth potential in local markets.
YEA’s goal is to drive immediate job creation while promoting long-term sustainability, empowering Ghanaian youth and meeting the country’s growing demand for fish products.
To oversee the project’s activities, a seven-member committee has been commissioned, including Lt. Col. Jalali Din Ibrahim, Lt. (Gen) Kojo Edem Agezo, Sub Lt. Sebastian Osabarima, Dr. Lawrence Armah Ahiah, Jenifer Viglo, and Fordjour.
Cocoa prices Monday moved moderately higher, with London cocoa posting a 3-1/2 week high. Cocoa prices jumped Monday after forecaster Maxar Technologies said parts of Ghana and Nigeria are experiencing dry and hot weather that could impact the cocoa mid-crop, which officially starts in April.
Shrinking global cocoa stockpiles are bullish for prices. ICE-monitored cocoa inventories held in US ports have been trending lower for the past 17 months and fell to a 19-year low Monday of 1,698,375 bags.
Cocoa also has carryover support from last Thursday when CEO of Barry Callebaut, one of the world’s largest chocolate producers, said that while cocoa crops in West Africa are showing “significant improvement versus last year,” they are still not at levels seen in the 2022/23 season.
On the negative side is news that the pace of the Ivory Coast cocoa harvest is picking up, which is boosting supplies. Government data today showed that Ivory Coast farmers shipped 454,624 MT of cocoa to ports from October 1 to November 10, up +30% from 348,560 MT shipped the same time last year. The Ivory Coast is the world’s largest cocoa producer.
Cocoa prices were undercut when the Ivory Coast regulator Le Conseil Cafe-Cacao on October 18 raised its Ivory Coast 2024/25 cocoa production estimate to a range of 2.1-2.2 MMT from a June forecast of 2.0 MMT.
Recent global cocoa demand news was mixed. The National Confectioners Association on October 17 reported that North American Q3 cocoa grindings rose +12% y/y to 109,264 MT. Also, the Cocoa Association of Asia reported that Q3 Asian cocoa grinding rose +2.6% y/y to 216,998 MT. However, the European Cocoa Association reported that European Q3 cocoa grindings fell -3.3% y/y to 354,335 MT.
Cocoa found support after Ghana’s Cocoa Board (Cocobod) on August 20 cut its 2024/25 Ghana cocoa production estimate to 650,000 MT from a June forecast of 700,000 MT. Due to bad weather and crop disease, Ghana’s 2023/24 coca harvest sank to a 23-year low of 425,000 MT. Ghana is the world’s second-biggest cocoa producer, and its 2024/25 cocoa harvest begins in October.
An increase in cocoa production by Cameroon, the world’s fifth-largest cocoa producer, is bearish for cocoa prices. On August 21, Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board reported that in 2023/24 (Aug/July), Cameroon cocoa production rose +1.2% y/y to 266,725. Also, Nigeria’s August cocoa exports rose by +6.8% y/y to 14,984 MT. Nigeria is the world’s sixth-largest cocoa producer.
In a bullish factor, the International Cocoa Association (ICCO) on August 30 raised its 2023/24 global cocoa deficit estimate to -462,000 MT from May’s -439,000 MT, the largest deficit in over 60 years. ICCO also cut its 2023/24 cocoa production estimate to 4.330 MMT from May’s 4.461 MMT. ICCO projected a 2023/24 global cocoa stocks/grindings ratio of a 46-year low of 27.4%.
