On April 3, 2025, Ghana's Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, held a public briefing on the innovative "Feed Ghana Programme," an initiative designed to transform the country's agricultural landscape. The event took place in the Minister’s Conference Room and represents a crucial step forward in tackling Ghana's pressing agricultural challenges while enhancing food security and economic stability.

In his address, Honorable Eric Opoku underscored the vital role of a robust agricultural sector in national development. He pointed out the nation’s significant reliance on food imports, which exceed $2 billion annually, with poultry imports alone costing around $300 million. This dependency on foreign markets, he explained, leaves Ghana vulnerable to global price fluctuations and contributes to food inflation, resulting in economic hardships for numerous families.

Despite Ghana's rich agricultural potential, the Minister recognized the obstacles that smallholder farmers face, including production inefficiencies, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to financing, and a lack of mechanization. He also highlighted the problem of post-harvest losses stemming from insufficient storage and processing facilities, poor transportation networks, and weak market integration. To combat these challenges, the Feed Ghana Programme will form part of Ghana's Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), which is set to be launched by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama on April 12, 2025, at the Methodist School Park in Techiman, Bono East Region.

The programme aims to enhance local agricultural production, minimize reliance on food imports, and create sustainable job opportunities. Key features of the initiative include establishing farmers' service centers, promoting the development of grains and legumes, and introducing cutting-edge technologies, such as controlled environment farming and greenhouse cultivation.

Additionally, the Minister outlined various initiatives to support institutional farming, including partnerships with national institutions and religious organizations to rejuvenate the poultry industry through a new “farm to table project.” The programme also aims to improve livestock production, foster industrial crop cultivation, and develop the oil palm sector to close the country’s consumption gap.

Honorable Opoku further announced plans to invest in agricultural infrastructure, which will significantly enhance food security, boost exports, and create jobs, ultimately contributing to Ghana's long-term economic growth.

By RACHEAL ODURO

PRO NSP