The Government of Canada, through the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E Myriam Montrat, has strengthened its support for agricultural development in Ghana with the handover of a tractor, three power tillers, and five transplanters to the Michel Camp Women Farmers’ Cooperative.
The gesture, presented at a ceremony held at Michel Camp, is aimed at boosting mechanization, empowering women farmers, and enhancing food production capacity.
The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly, the Military High Command at Michel Camp, representatives from Global Affairs Canada, and development partners, including the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) Canada.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Canadian High Commissioner praised the women farmers for their resilience and consistent advocacy for mechanized support.
She recalled that their plea for improved tools was first highlighted during the June 2025 visit of Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Honourable Randeep Sarai, an engagement she said deeply influenced Canada’s decision to respond swiftly.“
Today is your day,” she told the women. “These machines are not just equipment; they are tools of empowerment that will expand your production, reduce your physical burden, strengthen your leadership in agribusiness, and secure better livelihoods for your families and community.”
She commended MEDA Canada for supporting the procurement of the equipment and praised the Michel Camp Military Command and local authorities for creating a disciplined and supportive environment that enables the cooperative to thrive.
Global Affairs Canada emphasized that the intervention aligns with Canada’s Africa Strategy, which prioritizes women’s empowerment, climate resilience, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. They stressed that empowering women farmers is a direct investment in stronger households and resilient communities.
At the engagement, Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming agriculture and reducing the country’s heavy dependence on food imports, which currently exceeds US$3 billion annually.
He described agriculture as the foundation of national development, noting, “When agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have the chance to go right.”
The Minister explained that the Feed Ghana Program, launched earlier this year, is designed to boost food production for both consumption and agro-processing. Canada, he said, has been a strong partner in this initiative.
He highlighted Canada’s recent donation of 25 solar-powered boreholes to support irrigation, ten completed and fifteen nearing completion and emphasized the importance of strong cooperatives in enabling farmers to access modern equipment and negotiate better prices.
The Minister expressed delight that many of the beneficiaries are women-led cooperatives, calling them a model for sustainable agricultural development.
“When farmers come together, it becomes easier for government to support them,” he said. “This equipment would not have been given to one person, but because you are a cooperative, the entire group will benefit, and ultimately, the whole country will benefit through increased food production.”
He revealed that Ghana now has 70,000 registered farmer cooperatives, with plans to expand this number as part of the Feed Ghana Program.
The Minister also assured the community that the ministry is aware of the malfunctioning solar system and the siltation challenges affecting farming operations at Michel Camp.
He pledged that repairs would begin immediately after the Farmers’ Day celebration.“From Monday to next Friday, you will see action,” he assured, directing his team to move to the field to begin rehabilitation works.
He added that Ghana is shifting from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation-supported farming to ensure consistent year-round food production.
The Michel Camp Women Farmers’ Cooperative expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Canada and its partners for the support. They pledged to make effective use of the equipment to increase production and contribute to national food security.
As Ghana prepares to celebrate Farmers’ Day on December 5, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to deepening agricultural cooperation.
“Canada is here for you,” the Canadian official declared. “Your determination inspires us, and your success strengthens the bond between our two nations.”
