The Government has launched the Ghana AgriConnect Compact, a $3.5 billion agricultural transformation programme aimed at creating more than 2.6 million jobs and improving food security for nearly three million people by 2035.
The initiative, which will be implemented in phases beginning from 2026 to 2030, seeks to increase local food production, reduce dependence on food imports, attract private investment, and strengthen agricultural value chains across the country.
Launched in Accra with support from the World Bank Group and other development partners, the programme is expected to modernise Ghana’s agri-food system through investments in productivity improvement, value addition, market access, financing, and infrastructure development.
The Compact focuses on strategic agricultural commodities such as cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize and poultry, while also supporting the development of cashew, coconut, rubber, fisheries and forestry value chains.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Guangzhe Chen, World Bank Group Vice President for Planet, described the initiative as a major step towards building a productive, resilient and inclusive food system capable of creating jobs and attracting investment.
He said the programme would strengthen food security, improve the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses, and expand opportunities for private sector participation in the agricultural sector.
Mr Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the Compact provided a clear roadmap for transforming Ghana’s agricultural potential into tangible economic benefits for citizens.
He noted that the initiative would support efforts to modernise farming, strengthen value chains, increase productivity, and boost local food production to meet growing domestic demand.
“The Compact represents a coordinated approach to addressing the challenges facing agriculture while unlocking new opportunities for growth and job creation,” he said.
Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister of Finance, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the programme.
He said the initiative would contribute significantly to achieving food self-sufficiency, creating employment opportunities for the youth, developing competitive agro-industries and generating wealth through agriculture.
Under the programme, investments will be directed towards irrigation infrastructure, improved seed production, mechanisation, extension services, agro-processing facilities, storage systems and transportation logistics.
Government officials said the interventions were designed to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, enhance market access and strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The Compact is also expected to ensure that more food is produced, processed and marketed locally, thereby supporting industrialisation and reducing the country’s food import bill.
Officials indicated that the programme would integrate policy reforms, investment strategies and implementation mechanisms under a single framework to accelerate agricultural transformation and drive sustainable economic growth.
The Ghana AgriConnect Compact forms part of AgriConnect, a global World Bank Group initiative aimed at transforming agriculture and improving the livelihoods of 300 million smallholder farmers worldwide by 2030.
The programme is supported by several international partners, including the African Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Google and Bayer.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that the initiative would serve as a platform for mobilising private sector investment and accelerating the growth of Ghana’s agricultural sector over the coming decade.
