For many Ghanaians, the idea of food security is no longer just about having enough to eat; it’s about having safe, affordable, and nutrient-rich food in every household. Dr. Frank Ackah, Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast’s Department of Crop Science and a passionate advocate for home gardening, believes the solution may start right in people’s backyards.
Planting the Seeds of Change
In 2020, Dr. Ackah launched his Garden For All initiative, a platform aimed at empowering individuals to grow their own food. What began as a series of YouTube tutorials has now blossomed into a community of over 300,000 members spanning more than 100 countries.
“A lot of people want to grow their food, but they don’t know how,” Dr. Ackah explains. “Through training and guidance, we are helping households take control of what they eat, while reducing dependence on expensive and sometimes unsafe commercial produce.”
The initiative isn’t just about teaching people to plant seeds. Dr. Ackah uses social media, online live shows, and community workshops to provide regular guidance and practical solutions for everyday challenges. Every Sunday, he hosts a Live show called Time for the Gardener, where members submit questions and receive free training.
Retirees Rediscover Purpose Through Gardening
One of the remarkable aspects of Garden For All is its appeal to retirees. “We’ve seen people like my own father, now 81, find new purpose through gardening,” Dr. Ackah shares. Retirees are not just staying busy; they’re producing safe, nutritious food, lowering household expenses, and enjoying the mental and physical benefits of active engagement.
For many retirees, gardening is a lifeline. “When they wake up, they are in the garden,” Dr. Ackah says. “It keeps them healthy, active, and socially connected. It’s an alternative form of income, and it gives them a sense of accomplishment.”
Beyond these immediate benefits, retirees are also thinking about what comes next after their formal working life. They see gardening as an option to remain productive, to contribute to their families and communities, and even to explore small-scale entrepreneurial opportunities. For them, the garden becomes both a source of purpose and a pathway to a fulfilling post-retirement life.
Youth Engagement and Economic Opportunity
The initiative has also become a springboard for youth entrepreneurship. Young people, including school dropouts, have started commercial nurseries, producing and selling seedlings, exotic vegetables, and other farm products. “We had a young man, Frederick, who dropped out of school and is now producing thousands of seedlings, supplying local gardeners, and even supporting our workshops,” Dr. Ackah notes.
Women, too, are tapping into the initiative. Several members use their home gardens to produce value-added products like herbal creams and oils, selling them in commercial quantities. Through home gardening, Dr. Ackah’s program is creating micro-economies and fostering a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.
Building Communities Around Food
Beyond economics, Garden For All emphasizes social cohesion. Dr. Ackah organizes regional community meetings in six regions so gardeners can network, exchange knowledge, and learn from one another. These gatherings are more than educational; they are social lifelines, allowing participants to make friends and share experiences while growing their own food.
The Gardener’s Choice Award is another innovation, enabling community members to recognize outstanding gardeners in various categories, from youth to commercial producers. Dr. Ackah sees this as a way to inspire excellence and collaboration while strengthening the communal spirit of home gardening.
A Call for Government Support
Despite the initiative’s success, Dr. Ackah stresses that the government has a critical role to play. While the 2026 budget includes ambitious programs like the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development, home gardening and other staple crop initiatives have been largely overlooked.
“Home gardening is not just a hobby,” he says. “It’s a tool for food security, income generation, and community empowerment. If the government prioritizes it, with funding, training, and support, it could transform the agricultural landscape of Ghana.”
Food Security Starts at Home
For Dr. Ackah, home gardening is more than an academic or advocacy exercise, it’s a vision for the nation. He believes that every household that grows its own food contributes to national food security, reduces import dependence, and ensures that Ghanaians know exactly what goes onto their plates.
“With strategic support and grassroots engagement,” he says, “home gardening can touch every household, create sustainable livelihoods, and build a healthier, more resilient Ghana.”
