Akufo-Addo on his successes in agriculture and fisheries sectors

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has outlined achievements under his administration in Ghana's agriculture and fisheries sectors, marking these as key pillars of the nation’s economic growth.

Addressing Parliament in his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 3, President Akufo-Addo underscored agriculture’s critical role as the backbone of Ghana’s economy, attributing the sector's growth to the strategic policies and investments his government implemented over the past eight years. 

He noted how these efforts had led to significant increases in crop yields, the modernisation of farming practices, and strengthened food security across the country.

Agriculture: Enhanced yields and strengthened food security

President Akufo-Addo detailed the distribution of over 2.7 million bags of fertilizers and improved seedlings between 2017 and 2023, which played a pivotal role in boosting crop productivity. 

He highlighted that maize production surged by 110%, rice by 48%, and soybean by 150%, thereby contributing to greater food security for the Ghanaian populace.

“These initiatives have been truly transformative,” Akufo-Addo emphasized. “We’ve strengthened food security and revolutionized agriculture across the nation.”

He said key to these gains was the establishment of 140 agricultural mechanization centers and the rehabilitation of irrigation systems, which reduced the country’s dependence on rain-fed agriculture. 

Additionally, the One District, One Warehouse initiative successfully reduced post-harvest losses by 30%, while agricultural GDP growth soared from 2.7% in 2016 to an impressive 5.7% in 2023.

Progress in cocoa

Akufo-Addo also lauded Ghana’s advances in the cocoa sector, noting that the country had achieved record-breaking productivity levels, with average yields rising from 450kg to 800kg per hectare.

This development positioned Ghana as a global leader in sustainable cocoa production.

He pointed to the Living Income Differential (LID) policy, a collaborative agreement with Côte d’Ivoire that established a $400 per tonne premium for cocoa farmers, ensuring they received the highest prices in the history of the cocoa industry.

“Our cocoa farmers are now benefiting from a more equitable share of the global value chain,” Akufo-Addo stated, while expressing optimism that the incoming administration would uphold its promise to increase the price of cocoa to GH¢6,000 per bag.

Fisheries: Boosting livelihoods and sustainability

Turning to the fisheries sector, President Akufo-Addo lauded his government’s investments in infrastructure, which had a positive impact on both the livelihoods of fisherfolk and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s marine resources. 

He stated that the construction of 12 new landing sites, cold storage facilities, and the commissioning of the Jamestown and Elmina Fishing Harbours significantly reduced post-harvest losses and enhanced incomes in the sector.

“These efforts have not only benefited our fisherfolk, but have also ensured the preservation of marine resources for future generations,” he said.

Furthermore, Akufo-Addo stressed the government’s success in addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, underlining the country’s commitment to securing its fisheries for years to come.

Growth

President Akufo-Addo also expressed pride in the progress Ghana has made in these critical sectors. “These initiatives have laid the foundation for a brighter future,” Akufo-Addo remarked. “I am confident that these sectors will remain vital drivers of sustainable growth for Ghana.”