A New Chapter in Ghana’s Agricultural Development
Ghana’s agricultural sector is more than just an industry—it is the backbone of the nation’s economy, sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food security. With the appointment of Hon. Eric Opoku as the new Minister for Food and Agriculture, expectations are high for significant reforms and progress in this vital sector. This short news article provides a brief background on Hon. Eric Opoku and outlines his plans for Ghana's agriculture. As H.E. President John Dramani Mahama aptly stated:
'We cannot even think about transforming Ghana if we don’t put the right focus on agriculture. We cannot succeed at anything if we do not first put food on the table at an affordable cost for our people. Agriculture is the cornerstone of growth.'
Background
Hon. Opoku, recently vetted and appointed, has a strong leadership background, having served as the Member of Parliament for Asunafo South district. An agriculturist and farmer, he has held various government roles, including being a ranking member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee. With a Master's in International Business Law from the University of Essex, UK, his vision for revitalizing Ghana's agricultural sector was emphasized during his vetting. His goals align with the NDC's focus on agricultural reforms, youth empowerment in agriculture, value addition, and rural development.
Key Interventions and policies to boost agriculture
Hon. Eric Opoku has made several statements regarding the interventions that the NDC intends to implement in the agricultural sector. These interventions aim to address the challenges farmers face and to make agriculture a more sustainable and rewarding endeavour.
1. Making agriculture attractive to the youth
With a high youth unemployment rate in Ghana, it is crucial to create alternative employment opportunities that can sustain future generations. Only 5% of the Ghanaian youth are involved in agriculture according to a 2021 study. Through a combination of training, financial support, and policy reforms, the NDC’s agricultural agenda aims to ensure that young people can see agriculture as a viable and profitable career.
During his vetting, Hon. Eric Opoku highlighted the need to leverage technology to attract youth to farming, emphasizing digital platforms, smart tools, and global market access to build a tech-driven agricultural ecosystem. The NDC’s "Youth in Cocoa Farming" program also aims to support young farmers. However, overcoming the preference for white-collar jobs and providing meaningful incentives remains essential to making agriculture appealing to Ghana’s youth.
2. Agricultural diversification
The NDC manifesto also outlines a strategy for diversifying Ghana’s agricultural production. The goal is to move beyond the traditional crops of cocoa and maize by encouraging the cultivation of high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and cashew, which have the potential to generate more revenue and create jobs. Hon. Opoku reiterated the Government’s commitment to push awareness on other sectors of agriculture, including horticulture, with export potentials.
3. Improved agricultural productivity and value addition
One of the central themes of the manifesto is to enhance productivity across the agriculture value chain. The NDC is prioritizing the establishment of agro-processing industries that will create jobs, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the overall value chain. During his vetting, Hon. Opoku emphasized the need to have a symbiotic relationship between the agricultural sector and industry. He revealed plans to integrate the "Feed Ghana Project" with the "Feed Industry" initiative to boost agricultural productivity and industrial output, creating a relationship that will reduce the export of raw materials.
To further these goals, the Minister outlined a strategy for the government to acquire land from landowners, prepare it for agricultural use, and hand it over to interested farmers for cultivation and food production.
“We intend to acquire the land, prepare it for agricultural purposes, and then hand it over to prospective investors so that we can increase production and drive our nation towards food sufficiency,”
"We cannot even think about transforming Ghana if we don’t put the right focus on agriculture. We cannot succeed at anything if we do not first put food on the table at an affordable cost for our people. Agriculture is the cornerstone of growth" H.E. President John Dramani Mahama
4. Revamping Ghana’s poultry sector
The livestock sector, particularly poultry farming, has driven growth within the agricultural value chain. The NDC’s “Poultry Farm to Table Programme” aims to support poultry farmers by providing financial resources to expand operations and boost production. However, challenges like high poultry feed costs, driven by inflation, crop failures, and drought, persist. Hon. Eric Opoku has pledged to tackle this by focusing on affordable and alternative feed options to support farmers and ensure sustainable growth.
5. Farmer welfare
Farmer welfare is a crucial component of Ghana's economy, given that a substantial portion of the population is employed in agriculture. However, persistent challenges such as limited access to credit, high input costs, and inadequate healthcare for farmers continue to hinder progress. In addressing these issues, Hon. Opoku, during the NDC manifesto launch, reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing farmer welfare. This includes the introduction of free medical health insurance for cocoa farmers and the proposal of an agricultural insurance subsidy aimed at mitigating risks associated with agricultural loans. Additionally, he plans to reinstate the cocoa farmer bonus scheme, which previously provided fair and equitable income for cocoa farmers. Hon. Opoku also envisions the establishment of cocoa colleges in all cocoa-growing regions to foster continuous learning, alongside the restoration of the cocoa fertilizer subsidy to enhance yields.
"We intend to acquire the land, prepare it for agricultural purposes, and then hand it over to prospective investors so that we can increase production and drive our nation towards food sufficiency" Hon. Eric Opoku
Conclusion
Hon. Eric Opoku’s appointment as Minister for Food and Agriculture comes at a critical juncture for Ghana’s agricultural sector. While the NDC’s emphasis on revitalizing agriculture, creating jobs, and empowering the youth offers promising opportunities, the challenges facing the sector - rising food prices, inflationary pressures and the need for sustainable growth - demand focused and pragmatic solutions. Hon. Opoku’s call for unity and collaboration within the ministry is a positive step, but achieving meaningful progress will require not only the effective implementation of the NDC’s policies but also addressing systemic issues and ensuring targeted investments. The success of this vision will depend on the government’s ability to deliver tangible results for farmers and rural communities while ensuring long-term resilience in the sector