Government has intensified calls for deeper public-private collaboration to transform Ghana’s agriculture sector, warning that fragmented efforts risk undermining productivity and long-term food security.
The appeal was made by Eric Opoku, whose remarks were delivered on his behalf by Dr Solomon Gyan Ansah at the maiden Agricultural Fair organised by the General Agricultural Workers Union in Accra.
Held under the theme “From Farm to You: Decent Work Today, Food Security Tomorrow,” the event brought together farmers, agribusiness players, labour groups and policymakers to examine structural bottlenecks within the sector.
Government maintained that agriculture remains central to Ghana’s economic transformation agenda, employing a significant portion of the population while sustaining rural livelihoods. However, officials stressed that unlocking its full potential requires coordinated investment across the value chain.
The Ministry noted that while interventions in input distribution, irrigation, mechanisation and extension services have improved yields in some areas, persistent gaps particularly in financing and market access continue to limit growth.
Mr Opoku underscored that sustainable food security is closely tied to labour conditions, arguing that improving wages, safety standards and social protection for farm workers is critical to boosting productivity.
He further urged financial institutions and agribusinesses to rethink their engagement models with smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of local production but often struggle to access affordable credit.
“Tailored financial products and inclusive agribusiness models are essential if we are to drive real transformation in the sector,” the statement said.
Research institutions were also challenged to bridge the gap between innovation and on-farm application, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into practical solutions for farmers.
Speaking at the event, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor highlighted the scale of inefficiencies within the sector, particularly post-harvest losses, which he said cost the country an estimated $3 billion annually.
He noted that the losses are nearly equivalent to Ghana’s food import bill, underscoring the economic urgency of investing in storage, logistics and processing infrastructure.
According to him, consultations with farmers across the country reveal that while capacity and willingness to produce remain strong, systemic constraints including poor storage facilities, weak market linkages and limited access to finance continue to erode gains.
To address these challenges, government is advancing plans to establish a national food buffer system alongside farmer service centres designed to provide integrated support services, including input supply, technical assistance and market access.
A key component of this strategy is the proposed development of a one million metric tonne modern storage system aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and stabilising food supply.
Dr Otokunor emphasised that achieving this target would require significant private sector participation, particularly in financing and managing storage and logistics infrastructure.
He added that efforts are also underway to reduce production costs through local fertiliser manufacturing and broader macroeconomic stabilisation measures.
Beyond infrastructure, he reiterated the importance of formalising agricultural labour systems to ensure fair incomes and safer working conditions, positioning decent work as a cornerstone of sector transformation.
He also backed proposals for the creation of a Ghana Agriculture Services Authority to improve coordination, streamline policy implementation and enhance accountability across the sector.
Government reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient and competitive agricultural economy, stressing that stronger partnerships will be critical to reducing import dependence, improving productivity and securing long-term food security.
