The 56th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has convened in Ho, focusing on how engineering can drive food security and sustainable agricultural development in Ghana.
Under the theme, “Engineering the Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture Value Chain,” the week-long event attracted engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from across Ghana and Africa to discuss innovative solutions for the country’s agriculture and infrastructure challenges.
Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, representing President John Dramani Mahama, highlighted the urgent need for locally-led engineering solutions to reduce reliance on foreign firms and boost national capacity. He stressed the importance of cooperatives and consortia that pool resources and technology for large-scale projects.
Addressing food security, Mr. Tanoh noted that billions of cedis spent on food imports could be retained through improved local production, storage, irrigation, and renewable energy-powered agro-processing systems.
Deputy Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Madam Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, described the theme as timely amid climate variability, population growth, and global disruptions. She emphasised that engineering solutions—mechanisation, storage, transport, and digital technologies—are essential to improving productivity and resilience in agriculture.
GhIE President, Mr. Ludwig Annang Hesse, called for a reset in national development strategies, urging engineers to prioritise innovation, accountability, and integrity to tackle systemic challenges and reduce post-harvest losses.
The conference also featured contributions from international engineering bodies, including the Federation of African Engineering Organisations and associations from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Liberia, who encouraged collaboration and knowledge exchange to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural value chain.
Participants are expected to submit practical recommendations by the conclusion of the conference to enhance food systems, promote local engineering capacity, and drive sustainable agricultural growth.
