Mandate
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) is the lead agency and focal point of the Government of Ghana, responsible for developing and executing policies and strategies for the agriculture sector within the context of a coordinated national socio-economic growth and development agenda. By means of a sector-wide approach, the Ministry’s plans and programmes are developed, coordinated and implemented through policy and strategy frameworks. In this regard, MOFA facilitated the preparation of the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) and the Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (METASIP 2010-15).
Vision
The vision of the Ministry is a modernised agriculture culminating in a structurally transformed economy and evident in food security, employment opportunities and reduced poverty.
Mission
MOFA’s Mission is to promote sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development, effective extension and other support services to farmers, processors and traders for improved livelihood.
Objectives
Agriculture in Ghana is recognised as the mainstay of the economy with a greater impact on poverty reduction than other sectors. It is also critical for rural development and associated cultural values, social stabilisation, environmental sustainability and buffer during economic shocks. Based on the role of agriculture in the national development framework, Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) has the following as its objectives:
- Food security and emergency preparedness
- Improved growth in incomes
- Increased competitiveness and enhanced integration into domestic and international markets
- Sustainable management of land and environment
- Science and Technology Applied in food and agriculture development
- Improved Institutional Coordination
Strategy
Ghana’s agricultural strategy synthesises the government ‘s policy framework and action plans for attaining self-sustained growth in all agricultural sub-sectors by annualizing the Medium Term Agricultural Sector Development Plan (METASIP 2010-2015), thus providing the vehicle for optimising agriculture and integrated rural development for the structural transformation for the socio-economic development of Ghana.
The Agricultural sector consists of five main subsectors:
- Crops: Cereals and Starchy Crops
- Livestock: Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Poultry
- Fisheries: Marine, Inland and Aquaculture
- Forestry
- Cocoa
However, Ghana Cocoa Board under the Ministry Of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is responsible for cocoa affairs in the country
The Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources has responsibility for the Forestry Commission, while the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is responsible for the fisheries sub-sector.
Agricultural Subsector Growth by GDP%