Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has launched a US$1 million Revolving Fund in partnership with ARB Apex Bank to expand financial inclusion and support women-led agricultural enterprises in rural communities.
The initiative, part of the Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Project and backed by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP), seeks to provide affordable credit to smallholder farmers, particularly women who are engaged in vegetable farming and staple crops such as groundnut, cowpea, and soybean.
Mr. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, said the fund is a strategic investment to empower women, improving household incomes, and tackling rural poverty.
He said the funding’s 10% interest rate and flexible repayment schedule ensure accessibility for those typically excluded from traditional financing.
He said the initiative also seeks to boost financial access for rural agribusinesses and microenterprises, helping them scale operations, adopt climate-smart practices, and build resilience against shocks.
“Women-headed households, often at the frontline of food production but sidelined in financing, are central to the programme. With targeted support in nutrition, mechanisation, and post-harvest management,” he said.
However, the fund promises to transform livelihoods and ensure food security in underserved areas.
Nonetheless, the project spans 12 districts across five regions, including Tamale Metro, Wa Municipal, and Krachi East, and will be implemented through Ghana’s Rural and Community Banks under the oversight of ARB Apex Bank.
Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank, Alex Kwasi Awuah, affirmed the bank’s readiness to manage the fund, highlighting its credit systems and reach across rural Ghana.
