The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, has urged stakeholders in the rice value chain to leverage technology and innovations to transform the domestic rice industry and enhance food production.
He said technology-driven innovation was key to unlocking the full potential of the rice sector, which can create jobs, improve rural livelihoods, and reduce the country’s dependence on imported rice.
“The challenges confronting us present a clear call to action — actions that seek to leverage technology, innovate, and strengthen the resilience of our domestic rice ecosystem,” he stated.
Event
Mr John made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Director at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, Baba Ahmed Abdul Rahaman, at the Competitive African Rice Platform (CARP-Ghana) General Assembly meeting in Tamale.
A section of the participants
The meeting, held on the theme “Building Resilience and Competitiveness in Ghana’s Rice Value Chain Amid Market and Cost Pressures,” provided a platform to share progress on projects, initiatives, and partnerships undertaken by CARP-Ghana.
The event, which brought together farmers, millers, input dealers, researchers, policymakers, and private investors, also enabled members to review and adopt the CARP-Ghana Constitution as a guiding document for its operations.
Addressing challenges
In his remarks, Mr John acknowledged that despite its potential, the rice sector continued to face challenges, including high input costs, limited access to finance, inadequate milling infrastructure, and stiff competition from imported rice.
“Rice is not merely a staple food — it is a cornerstone of food security, a source of livelihood for millions, and a catalyst for economic growth,” he emphasised.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the sector through innovative and technology-driven interventions under the President’s “reset agenda,” aimed at modernising agriculture and boosting the local economy.
The minister also underscored the need for stronger engagement with regional bodies such as ECOWAS to harmonise standards, promote intra-African trade, and reduce the continent’s reliance on imported rice.
Policy reform
The National Coordinator for CARP-Ghana, Mohammed Habib Abdulai, said the organisation represents the collective interests of rice sector stakeholders and works to promote effective rice processing, marketing, and policy reforms.
He indicated that Ghana currently produces just over half of its rice demand, with the rest imported, a situation that continues to drain foreign exchange.
“When we achieve rice self-sufficiency, it will significantly reduce importation and save the country millions of dollars,” he stated.
