A 28-member delegation from the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP), USA, has paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as part of a specialized agricultural study and leadership mission to Ghana. The visit aims to deepen bilateral cooperation and promote knowledge exchange between Ghana and the United States in the areas of agricultural innovation, leadership development, and agribusiness growth.
Welcoming the delegation, Chief Director Mr. Paul Siameh expressed appreciation for the visit and underscored Government’s commitment to accelerating agricultural transformation through the Feed Ghana Programme. He explained that the Programme represents a strategic shift from subsistence-oriented production to a modern, technology-driven and market-led agricultural economy. The initiative also promotes private sector participation and agribusiness investment, positioning agriculture not merely as a livelihood activity, but as a viable and profitable enterprise capable of driving national development.
Engaging the delegation on behalf of the Minister, Technical Advisor, Hon. Kwasi Etu Bonde noted that agriculture contributes approximately 21 percent to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring its critical role in the country’s economic architecture. He emphasized Government’s resolve to leverage the sector as a catalyst for economic transformation by ensuring food sufficiency, creating decent jobs for the youth, and strengthening rural economies.
He further disclosed that a key pillar supporting the Feed Ghana Programme is the establishment of Farmer Service Centres (FSCs) across the country. The FSCs are designed as one-stop hubs providing farmers with access to essential services, including affordable credit facilities, input supply, mechanization support, extension services, agronomic advisory services and market information. By consolidating these services under one roof, the Centres aim to reduce production bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and enhance farmers’ productivity and incomes.
Hon. Bonde also disclosed that, plans are underway to expand the number of FSCs to 275 nationwide to ensure equitable access, particularly for smallholder farmers in underserved communities. The expansion is expected to significantly strengthen the agricultural value chain and improve overall sector performance.
Members of the delegation shared insights from their respective areas of expertise, spanning agribusiness, production agriculture, finance, education, and extension services. Discussions centered on innovation, leadership development, financing, technology transfer, and opportunities for partnership to advance sustainable agricultural growth.
The Indiana ALP is a well-established leadership development initiative for professionals in agriculture and allied industries. The delegation is being hosted by Voazok Limited, a Ghana-based agribusiness company focused on strengthening agricultural leadership, promoting sustainable growth, and advancing food security through innovation and strategic investment in Ghana’s agricultural sector.