Govt to unveil Feed Ghana Programme Friday

The government is to launch the initiative designed to transform the agricultural sector, reduce import dependency and enhance domestic production and exports. 

The initiative dubbed the Feed Ghana Programme (FGP) forms part of the broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), which aims to modernise agriculture, improve food security and create sustainable jobs.

It will be implemented under a series of targeted initiatives, including the advancement of Systematic Management and Resource Technology (SMART) agriculture, grains and legumes development initiative, vegetable development project (YƐREDUA), support for institutional farming and the poultry industry revitalisation initiative.

Others are livestock development initiative, feed the industry programme, investment in infrastructure and agro-production enclaves, and innovative agricultural financing.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to launch the project on April 11 in Techiman, the Bono East Regional capital, also considered a food hub.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, stated that the initiative was to intended to boost the agribusiness sector covering the chain value.

“FGP is an integrated agricultural acceleration programme aimed to boost agricultural production to feed Ghanaians and provide raw material for agro-industry and create jobs.”

He explained that the initiative would help ensure food security, alleviate inflationary pressures on food prices, increase export potential and support sustained economic growth in the long term.

He said the ministry was committed to ensure food security and improve nutritional outcomes while creating sustainable employment and empowering our youth and women.

As part of the efforts, he said the ministry would establish a National Oversight Committee to provide strategic direction and a Technical Implementation Committee to offer essential technical support.

“These bodies will work in tandem to ensure the smooth execution of the programme,” he added.

Background

Earlier this year, the government launched the "Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA)" with a GH¢1.5 billion allocation.

The initiative is to modernise the agricultural sector, boost food security, and create jobs, aligning with the government's broader vision of a robust economy that leverages agriculture.

The AETA includes key projects such as Nkokɔ Nketenkete (a poultry development programme), Feed Ghana, the Ghana Grains Development Project, and the Vegetable Development Project.

These projects are tailored to bolster agribusiness development, secure food availability, mitigate food inflation, increase export revenues and generate sustainable job opportunities.

Challenges

The Food and Agriculture Minister acknowledged the challenges that threatened the country’s agricultural sector, including over-reliance on food imports wich exceeds $2 billion annually, with poultry alone accounting for $300 million.

This dependence, he said, had made the country vulnerable to external market fluctuations and foreign exchange instability.

“The impact of these imports is also reflected in rising food inflation, severely impacting households, increasing the cost of food items and worsening economic conditions for vulnerable populations,” Mr Opoku added.

“Although blessed with abundant agricultural resources, Ghana has struggled with production inefficiencies, lack of infrastructure, limited access to essential inputs, and weak integration within the agricultural value chain,” he said.

The Minister of Agriculture said smallholder farmers, who formed the backbone of the sector, faced obstacles such as limited mechanisation, financing difficulties, and inadequate modern farming methods, hence the interventions to support them.

Collaboration

Mr Opoku further gave the assurance that the ministry would collaborate with other ministries, departments and agencies, farmer organisations and Private Enterprises to ensure the full  implementation of the FGP.

“The Ministry will engage in consultations with key stakeholders, develop detailed programme documentation, and launch the Feed Ghana Programme, establishing the necessary structures for effective implementation,” he said.

The Agric Minister, therefore, urged all Ghanaians to support the initiative and to collectively work towards a prosperous and food-secure country.