As Ghana enters the final days of 2025, the national economy is showing signs of a hard-won recovery. With the Cedi maintaining a period of relative stability against major currencies and inflation rates cooling, the fundamental building blocks of growth appear to be in place. However, for the average Ghanaian household, the true test of economic success is not found in exchange rate charts, but at the dinner table. Economists and policy experts are now calling on the government to make 2026 the “Year of Agricultural Transformation,” arguing that food security is the final frontier in the fight against the high cost of living.
The Inflation Paradox and the Profit Margin Risk
Despite the drop in headline inflation, food prices remain a significant burden on the pockets of many. The central challenge for the coming year is to bring the cost of food down for the consumer without bankrupting the farmer. Currently, many producers are trapped in a cycle of high production costs driven by the price of imported fertilizers, specialized seeds, and transport. If the government simply pushes for lower market prices without addressing these underlying input costs, the resulting squeeze will wipe out the profit margins of local farmers, potentially leading to a collapse in local production and a reversal of the current economic gains.
A Strategy for Sustainable Pricing
To achieve a win-win for both the kitchen table and the farm gate, stakeholders are proposing a dual-layered strategy for 2026. This involves shifting the focus from price controls to lowering the barrier of entry for production. By providing targeted support for fertilizers, machinery, and solar-powered irrigation, the state can lower the cost of growing a bag of maize, allowing the farmer to sell it at a lower price while still securing a healthy return. Furthermore, a significant portion of food cost is added between the farm and the market due to poor road networks and post-harvest losses. Investment in rural feeder roads and regional silos will ensure that supply remains high and prices stay low by preventing produce from rotting in the fields.
Agriculture as a National Stabilizer
A thriving agricultural sector in 2026 will do more than just fill plates; it will serve as a shield for the national currency. By reducing the country’s heavy dependence on imported staples like rice, poultry, and cooking oil, Ghana can protect the stability of the Cedi and reduce its exposure to global price shocks. Agricultural economists argue that the current stability in the Cedi and inflation is merely a platform that remains fragile if billions of dollars continue to be spent on imports that can be grown locally.
As the government prepares its roadmap for the coming year, the message from the fields is clear: the focus must move to the soil. By supporting the producer through technology, better logistics, and affordable inputs, Ghana can ensure that the statistical low inflation finally translates into affordable, abundant food for every citizen.
