The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to introduce a Home Gardening Initiative aimed at encouraging citizens to grow their own food and promote self-sufficiency, reminiscent of the Operation Feed Yourself policy from the General Acheampong regime in the 1970s. That policy saw Ghana become nearly self-sufficient in food production, with the country even beginning to export some food items. During that period, home and backyard gardening became common, even in residential areas, but in recent years, such practices have largely disappeared as houses with large compounds have given way to paved landscapes, ruling out any form of gardening.
With the rising cost of food, the NDC aims to make home gardening popular once again if it wins the next election. Dr. Kwekuche Ackah, a crop scientist and member of the party’s manifesto committee, who leads a home gardening group with over 300,000 members, told The High Street Journal that home gardening is already gaining traction in major cities and could play a significant role in boosting the country’s food production.
As part of the Home Gardening Initiative, the NDC plans to set up agricultural extension offices within communities to offer residents guidance on seed acquisition, planting techniques, and cultivation challenges. The government will ensure the availability of high-quality seeds and seedlings, while extension officers will provide hands-on support to ensure the success of these efforts. The initiative is also expected to create business opportunities for young entrepreneurs through the sale and distribution of seeds and seedlings, contributing to job creation.
Additionally, the NDC plans to amend current policies that restrict farming in densely populated urban areas, which currently prohibit farming in communities with populations exceeding 5,000 people. By changing these regulations, more Ghanaians will be able to engage in urban farming, increasing local food production.
The initiative also targets unused land in senior high schools, which will be used for vegetable farming. These schools will receive plowing services, seeds, and support from agricultural extension officers. Furthermore, the educational curriculum will be updated to include practical agriculture training, equipping students with the skills to grow their own food and meet the schools’ food needs.
Dr. Ackah emphasized that the NDC’s Home Gardening Initiative will not only address rising food costs but also create sustainable solutions for food security in Ghana.
