The World Bank support for Ghana agriculture has been reaffirmed with an additional commitment of US$30 million to Ghana’s irrigation systems development. This initiative aligns with the World Bank’s vision to enhance food security and promote rural development in Ghana.
This support from the Bretton Woods institution is aimed at helping the country revolutionize its agricultural sector to enhance its food security and rural development. The World Bank support for Ghana agriculture was announced by the Regional Vice President of Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, Ousmane Diagana, during his visit to Ghana to monitor the progress of the Food Systems Resilience Project.
Ousmane Diagana said in an era when there is a growing threat to global food security due to rapid climate change and other factors, Ghana, like other countries, must build resilience in food production through ambitious investments. He noted that the World Bank support for Ghana agriculture would be critical in achieving this.
With Ghana being a partner of the Bank, the vice president announced that it stands ready to provide additional financing to help the country transform the sector.
“I also would like to stress that there is definitely the need to do more, to be more ambitious. And that’s why your bank, I can say, this year, will continue to support this type of initiative to continue to partner with Ghanaians,” he said when he addressed the media.
Having reiterated the continued support to monitor and enhance the project’s implementation, he noted the importance of agriculture as both a private sector activity and a cornerstone for job creation in Ghana’s economy. The World Bank support for Ghana agriculture also extends to promoting private sector-driven initiatives that benefit small and medium enterprises and smallholder farmers.
“When I talk about Ghanaians, I’m essentially thinking of the private sector, meaning the small and medium enterprises that are represented by the farmers that I have seen here. Because agriculture, by definition, is a private sector activity,” he explained.
