The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E John Dramani Mahama has outlined the three (3) key pillars as a commitment to strengthening Ghana’s agriculture, improving rural livelihoods, and ensuring national food security.
President Mahama affirmed his government’s dedication to transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector, emphasizing Irrigation, Affordable Financing, and Infrastructure as the 3 major key pillars.
He reveled this during the 41st Farmers’ Day Celebration at Ho
For irrigation, he announced plans to drill boreholes and install solar-powered pumps for farming communities to support year-round agriculture.
With reliable water, he said, farmers can triple their harvests and achieve higher yields on smaller lands.
Affordable Financing: Mr. President stressed the need for single-digit agricultural loan rates, arguing that current high interest rates trap farmers in debt.
“It is unacceptable that farmers work for the banks instead of themselves,” he said, pledging to push loan rates below 10 percent.
He commended members of the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen for advocating reduced credit rates, emphasizing that cheaper financing is essential for national food security
He condemned the purchase of imported rice for the School Feeding Programme when local farmers have unsold rice, insisting that rice, maize, and poultry must henceforth be sourced locally.
The President praised scientific breakthroughs such as the new weevil-resistant cowpea variety and announced a soon-to-be-launched School Agriculture Programme requiring schools to operate farms.
Infrastructure: Turning to development in the Volta Region which he affectionately called the “Oxygen City”, Mr. President indicated that several key road projects under the government’s Big Push Agenda are advancing steadily, with contractors already on site.
He expressed confidence that most of the roads would be near completion within 18 months.
He stated that work has finally begun on the long-delayed Denu-Aflao road, a project that will boost trade and improve transportation in the region.
