The government's intention to start an agriculture-driven jobs programme to create more than 500,000 jobs across the country could be a turning point in the country’s economic transformation.
For decades, agriculture has been described as the backbone of the economy, yet its full potential remains largely untapped.
If well executed, this new strategy could help bridge the unemployment gap, revitalise rural communities and lay the foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth.
Agriculture already employs a large share of the population, but most of these jobs are informal, low-paying and vulnerable to weather shocks.
Many young people have drifted away from farming due to a lack of access to credit, modern tools and reliable markets.
By putting jobs creation at the centre of agricultural policy, the government is recognising that farming can be more than subsistence.
It can be a viable business and a driver of industrialisation. When the sector grows, it stimulates other parts of the economy, from agro-processing and logistics to input supply and retail. The challenge, however, lies in implementation.
Ghana has seen several well-intentioned agricultural programmes that struggled to deliver their promises because of poor coordination, delayed funding, and weak monitoring.
For this new jobs initiative to succeed, it must go beyond political slogans and focus on building strong value chains from production to processing and marketing. Farmers need access to affordable financing, mechanisation services, and post-harvest infrastructure to make their work profitable and sustainable.
Without such support, the promise of jobs will remain theoretical.
Infrastructure also plays a critical role.
Rural roads, irrigation systems and storage facilities determine how efficiently farmers can move produce to markets and avoid post-harvest losses.
Jobs plans that integrate these investments will not only create immediate employment in construction and logistics but also sustain long-term gains in productivity.
In addition, linking the initiative with vocational training and agri-tech innovation can make agriculture attractive to the youth and equip them with modern skills for a changing economy.
Ultimately, agriculture remains Ghana’s most inclusive path to growth. Unlike extractive industries, it touches nearly every household and has the power to lift millions out of poverty if properly harnessed.
The government’s agriculture-driven jobs initiative is, therefore, more than an employment scheme, it is a chance to rebuild the economy from the ground up. Success will depend on discipline, transparency and genuine collaboration with private sector players, farmers’ associations and development partners.
If Ghana gets this right, the fields might once again bring wealth to the whole country, not just the farmers.