Mr. Senyo Kpelly, the founder of Eco Restore Ltd, a reforestation company focused on indigenous tree restoration in Northern Ghana, has called for urgent reforms in Ghana’s agricultural sector, arguing that current inefficiencies and poor resource management are limiting the country’s economic growth potential.
In an interview with The High Street Journal (THSJ), Mr. Kpelly noted that although agriculture remains a crucial part of Ghana’s economy, its contribution to national growth has been constrained by low productivity, high input costs, and outdated farming practices.
He warned that while sectoral growth projections may appear promising on paper, the underlying inefficiencies are eroding real impact, especially for smallholder farmers.
“Agriculture may grow by 2%, but that growth is not organic. Input costs are high, and many farmers are barely breaking even. Until we invest in better soil health, adopt regenerative practices, and ensure access to affordable capital, smallholders will continue to struggle,” Mr. Kpelly said.
He also criticised the short-term nature of government strategies in the energy and agriculture sectors, saying that much of Ghana’s economic progress is being “delayed by inefficiencies.”
He pointed out that projected sectoral shifts, such as services declining from 49% to 43.5% and industry growing by just 2%, reflect a larger systemic problem that can’t be solved by statistics alone.
“The current model is not sustainable. If Ghana truly wants to see growth that improves lives, then we must move from conventional, chemical-heavy farming to regenerative agriculture. We need one commercial irrigation system per district and better use of organic fertilisers and animal manure,” he advised.
Mr. Kpelly emphasised that real change would require a shift in government policy, moving away from subsidies that reward inefficiency toward long-term investment in technology, irrigation, and sustainable practices.
He also stressed the importance of health in national planning, saying, “health must be central to any development strategy, we cannot grow a strong economy with a sick population.”
He added that if Ghana can achieve higher productivity, moving from 800 kg per acre to 1.5 metric tonnes, the sector could begin to yield real returns and stimulate broader economic growth.
Mr. Kpelly reiterated that “taxation should never be a substitute for reform,” and urged policymakers to pay attention to the real needs of farmers on the ground.
In addition, he warned that without structural changes, projected growth in agriculture and industry may not translate into tangible benefits for the wider population.
