President John Dramani Mahama on Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebrations unveiled his government’s agenda to transform the nation’s agriculture sector. The reforms are intended to reduce Ghana’s heavy reliance on food imports, which currently cost the country over $2 billion each year, and to boost domestic production through strategic investments in agribusiness.
President Mahama emphasized that agriculture represents Ghana’s greatest opportunity to achieve economic self-sufficiency. “Our agricultural sector remains our biggest opportunity to reduce import dependence,” he noted, citing the pressing need for a shift towards locally produced food.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the Ghana Statistical Service for the month of February indicated that Ghana’s food inflation stood at 28.1%, down from 28.3% in January, representing a month-on-month drop of 1.8%. Inflation for ginger alone, used as a staple in many homes for preparing various dishes and traditional drinks like “sobolo” stood at 133.5%.
The President during his address also announced the implementation of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda, a strategy aimed at strengthening local agribusiness, ensuring food security, and stabilizing market prices.
Key initiatives intended to boost Ghana’s agricultural sector, mentioned by the president included;
Feed Ghana Program: Designed to drive mass food production, this initiative aims to stabilize food prices by ensuring a consistent and increased supply of locally produced food.
Poultry Farm to Table Initiative (“Nk)k Nkete Nkete” Program): Targeting the poultry sector, this program seeks to significantly boost domestic poultry production and processing. By addressing the current 95% reliance on imported poultry products, the initiative is expected to improve food security and reduce import bills.
Agridex Program: With a focus on youth empowerment, the Agridex program will equip 30,000 young Ghanaians with land, training, and agribusiness opportunities. The president stressed that engaging the youth is critical for driving innovation and sustainable growth in agriculture.
Farmer Service Centers: The government plans to establish these centers in every district to provide farmers with essential services such as mechanization, quality seeds, and fertilizer. This network is intended to boost productivity and modernize traditional farming methods.
