Ghana’s agriculture set for a major boost

The Government of Ghana has announced a GHS 1.7 billion investment into the agriculture value chain, aimed at boosting food production, strengthening rural connectivity, and accelerating value-addition for export-led industrialisation.

Presenting the 2026 Budget, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, outlined a series of strategic interventions designed to tackle high food prices, curb food inflation, and create an estimated 250,000 jobs across the sector.

𝙆𝙚𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙

• Agricultural Enclave Roads Programme

GHS 828 million has been allocated to construct 1,000 km of enclave roads, linking high-production zones to markets. This will reduce post-harvest losses, lower transportation costs, and increase farmer incomes.

• Farmer Service Centres

GHS 690 million is earmarked to expand mechanisation through Farmer Service Centres. Tractors, combine harvesters, precision seed drills, and other equipment will be deployed across 50 districts, improving production efficiency and modernising farm operations.

• Agro-Processing Plants

Seven fully equipped agro-processing plants will be established in the Northern, Central, Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, North East, and Western North Regions. These facilities will provide 700 direct jobs and support processing in key value chains such as yam, fish, poultry, cashew, rice, shea, and palm kernel.

• Integrated Oil Palm Development Policy

With a target of 100,000 hectares under cultivation, the government aims to achieve self-sufficiency in palm oil and generate 250,000 jobs. A US$500 million development finance window will be opened for smallholders in partnership with the The World Bank, Development Bank Ghana, and other development finance institutions.

This investment represents more than a policy announcement, it is a transformative national commitment to make agriculture the engine of economic renewal, job creation, and sustainable development. With improved infrastructure, mechanization, and value-addition, Ghana’s agricultural sector is poised for a new era of resilience and growth.

By: Henry Cofie Fordi