With the mid-year budget review fast approaching, Ghana’s peasant farmers are intensifying calls for the government to realign its spending priorities by directing at least half of the Big Push infrastructure funds into the agricultural sector—a move they believe is crucial for long-term national development.
At a civil society pre-budget forum in Accra, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) made a compelling case that investing heavily in agriculture would not only enhance food security but also create jobs and drive inclusive economic growth.
Bismark Nortey, Executive Director of PFAG, underscored that the government’s rhetoric and policies, including the 24-Hour Economy Programme and the Feed Ghana initiative, already acknowledge agriculture as the foundation of national progress.
“If agriculture is the cornerstone of the government’s economic agenda, then it must reflect in the budget. Channeling 50% of Big Push funds into agriculture is not just logical—it’s essential,” Nortey stated.
Feed Ghana Programme: A Pathway to Prosperity
The Feed Ghana Programme, a flagship component of the broader agricultural vision, seeks to revolutionise the sector through the establishment of nationwide farmer service centres. These centres are expected to provide modern mechanisation support, affordable financing, access to markets, quality inputs, and technical training to smallholder farmers across the country.
Farmers argue that with sufficient financial backing, this programme could radically transform rural economies, reduce the nation’s food import bill, and empower thousands of unemployed youth with dignified and sustainable livelihoods.
Traders Voice Frustration Over Rising Costs
The call for greater agricultural investment resonates beyond the farms. Market traders—who depend on rural food supplies—are equally pressing government to ease the burden of rising fuel prices and transport costs.
A plantain vendor who spoke to Citi Business News expressed dismay at the new GHC1 fuel levy, lamenting that it had effectively neutralised recent reductions in fuel prices. “This new levy is making things harder for us. Transporting goods from the farms is getting more expensive, and it’s hurting both sellers and consumers,” she said.
Yam trader Opanyin Amissah added: “We need government support in the form of farming equipment. With that, we can reduce our cost of production and, in turn, offer better prices to buyers.”
A Sector Poised for Takeoff
With inflationary pressures and food insecurity still pressing challenges, stakeholders believe agriculture holds the key to stabilising the economy. Their message is clear: the Big Push infrastructure initiative should not focus solely on roads and buildings, but also on tilling the land and feeding the nation.
As the Finance Minister prepares to present the mid-year review, the hope from the ground is unmistakable—turn words into action and put agriculture where it belongs: at the centre of Ghana’s development drive.
