Government is stepping up efforts to modernize agriculture and position it as a major driver of economic growth, as policymakers, academics, and industry experts convened in Accra for the Agriculture Modernization Conference.
The event, held at the Accra City Hotel under the theme “Innovative Agricultural Transformation and Sustainable Growth in Africa,” focused on the urgent need for technology-driven, youth-led agribusiness to tackle food insecurity, climate pressures and unemployment across the continent.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare underscored Ghana’s commitment to agricultural transformation, citing significant budget allocations in 2026 aimed at improving food security and reducing heavy import dependence.
She highlighted GH¢245 million for the Feed Ghana programme and GH¢200 million for the Ghana Buffer Stock Company, funding intended to cut post-harvest losses and reduce more than US$2.5 billion in annual food imports, especially in rice, poultry and processed foods.
“Transforming agriculture is not only about feeding people; it is about shaping Africa’s economic destiny,” she said, stressing that sustainable growth requires tighter linkages between farms, factories and markets. She pointed to agro-processing, certification systems, industrial parks, Special Economic Zones, climate-smart practices, mechanisation, digital platforms and cold-chain systems as core pillars of future growth. The Minister also urged stronger partnerships between academia and industry to accelerate innovation.
Dr. Forster Boateng, presenting a continental perspective, said Africa holds 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land yet spent $97 billion on food imports between 2021 and 2023. He argued that Africa’s youth must be placed at the centre of transformation by turning agriculture into a profitable and technology-driven enterprise.
He outlined six strategic areas for fast-tracked growth: transitioning from subsistence to market-driven agribusiness; scaling precision technologies such as drones; implementing coherent and investment-friendly policies; promoting collaboration across sectors; empowering youth through entrepreneurship programmes such as Ghana’s E-HAPPY initiative under the Mastercard Foundation; and aligning national actions with AfCFTA to unlock regional trade.
“Now is the moment. Let’s turn vision into action and make agriculture Africa’s next success story,” he said.
The conference ended with a renewed call for collaboration among governments, the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, academia, and young people to build competitive and resilient agricultural value chains.
Participants agreed that with sustained innovation, investment and coordinated policy action, Africa can reduce imports, strengthen its food systems, create jobs and become a global force in agribusiness.
