Ghana’s agriculture sector is entering a new phase of large-scale reform and investment, with government committing billions of cedis to reposition farming as the backbone of national economic growth.
This was revealed by Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Chairman of Parliament’s Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, who outlined the scope of ongoing interventions in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra.
Rather than focusing solely on production, Dr. Jasaw explained that the government’s “Agric for Economic Transformation” agenda is designed to overhaul the entire value chain—from crop development and mechanisation to financing and export expansion.
Massive Funding Commitments Target Key Value Chains
Government is directing significant financial resources into high-impact commodities:
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GH¢6.9 billion Oil Palm Finance Window to revitalise oil palm cultivation and processing
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US$500 million long-term facility to support industrialisation within the tree-crop sector
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Major public investment to scale up cereals such as rice and sorghum under the Feed Ghana programme
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New export-oriented initiatives targeting yam, a commodity positioned to generate foreign exchange and rural jobs
“These are not isolated projects,” Dr. Jasaw noted. “They form part of a coordinated effort to convert agriculture into a modern agro-industrial growth engine.”
Infrastructure Development to Support Commercial Production
To ensure efficient movement of goods and link rural producers to markets, government is upgrading strategic infrastructure.
One such project is a bridge under construction to ease the flow of agricultural produce between the Volta Region and the northern corridor.
“This kind of infrastructure is what unlocks value along the production chain,” the Wa East MP said.
Transforming Rural Livelihoods
With an estimated 72% of Ghana’s rural population dependent on agriculture, the reform agenda is expected to deliver broad economic impact, improving incomes and stimulating local economies.
Dr. Jasaw stressed that the initiatives represent a deliberate shift from subsistence farming to a commercially viable agro-industrial model.
Agriculture Positioned as Anchor of Economic Revival
The Committee Chair believes the sector is now well-placed to drive Ghana’s economic transformation if sustained funding, strong policy direction and institutional reforms continue.
“With the right support systems, agriculture can become the arrowhead of Ghana’s development strategy,” he told GNA.
