Mr John Dumelo, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, has tasked the newly inaugurated Board of the Grains and Legumes Development Authority to ensure the production of high-quality and affordable grains across the country.
He said the Board must also prioritise improving market access for farmers and promoting value addition throughout the grains and legumes value chain.
Mr Dumelo gave the directive in Accra during the inauguration of the nine-member Board, chaired by Dr Joseph Asako Azumah.
Other members of the Board are Mr Assanaba Imoro, Dr Solomon Gyan Ansah, Mr Lordson Sammor-Duah, Mr Mohammed Issifu Pangabu, Mr Donald Awintoma Adabre, Mr Awuni Anaahu, Mr Yakubu Abduli Hamid, and Mr Kwame Addai Amankwah David.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that agriculture remained a key priority for government, with grains and legumes forming a central component of the sector.
“Agriculture is at the core of government’s agenda, and within the sector, grains and legumes play a dominant role in ensuring food security,” he said.
He urged the Board to ensure that farmers received fair value for their produce while efforts were intensified to improve the quality standards of grains available on the market.
Mr Dumelo described the Board’s mandate as critical to strengthening Ghana’s food systems, noting that its work would form a strong foundation for the Ministry’s broader agricultural transformation agenda.
He assured the Board of continuous engagement and monitoring to assess its performance and support its operations.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Mr Assanaba Imoro expressed gratitude to the government for the confidence reposed in members and pledged their commitment to delivering on their mandate.
He highlighted the Authority’s crucial role in the production of quality foundation seeds, which serve as the backbone for large-scale cultivation by registered farmers.
Mr Imoro assured the Ministry that the Board would work diligently to support government’s efforts to achieve food sufficiency and enhance agricultural productivity.
The Grains and Legumes Development Authority is responsible for regulating and developing the subsector, including the production and distribution of foundation seeds, collaboration with research institutions, and support for farmers.
Its functions also cover the promotion of standards, facilitation of market linkages, and support for value addition to strengthen food security and drive agricultural growth in Ghana.
