In a speech commemorating the 40th National Farmers’ Day on Friday, November 8, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo highlighted the “unprecedented” achievements in Ghana’s agricultural sector under his administration.
Speaking to an audience of farmers, agricultural stakeholders, and policymakers, he emphasized the significant strides made since 2017 to transform agriculture into a dynamic, resilient, and productive sector, particularly amid climate challenges.
Akufo-Addo stated that his administration has focused on the well-being of farmers and fisherfolk, recognizing them as central to Ghana’s economy. “Your well-being is Ghana’s strength,” he remarked, adding that efforts have centered on food security, wealth creation, and job provision.
The Programme for Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), launched in 2017, spearheaded this transformation. “Our objectives were ambitious,” he noted, “aiming for food security, import substitution, wealth creation, and job provision, especially for our youth.”
The PFJ introduced subsidies on essential inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, easing access for farmers nationwide. The program, which includes five modules—Food Crops, Planting for Exports and Rural Development (PERD), Livestock, Mechanisation, and Greenhouse Horticulture—aims to boost both food production and export value while creating sustainable jobs.
In August 2023, PFJ 2.0 shifted from traditional subsidies to an agricultural input credit system tied to market arrangements, promoting resilience and sustainability.
According to the President, PFJ’s success is evident in key agricultural metrics. From 2017 to 2023, agricultural GDP growth rose from 2.7% to 5.7%.
Production of staple crops, including cereals, legumes, and tubers, increased by over 100%, 68%, and 59%, respectively, reflecting greater food availability, job creation, and improved livelihoods. Additionally, non-traditional agricultural exports increased from $371 million in 2016 to $515 million in 2022.
Internationally, Ghana’s agricultural success has been recognized, with the African Union’s 2023 biennial review ranking Ghana as the top-performing agricultural nation in West Africa—a notable rise from seventh place in 2017.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted notable yield increases for maize, rice, and soybeans, attributing the gains to improved farming practices, access to quality seeds, and modern agricultural technologies.
Certified seed distribution rose from 2,000 metric tons in 2016 to 36,000 metric tons, boosting adoption rates among farmers. Fertilizer application also increased, improving productivity.
Mechanization has been prioritized, with over 12,200 units of machinery, including tractors and power tillers, distributed nationwide from 2017 to 2022. Agricultural Mechanisation Service Centres grew from 67 in 2016 to 176 by 2022, enhancing productivity.
Irrigation infrastructure also expanded by an additional 9,233 hectares, bringing the total area under irrigation to over 231,000 hectares.
To address post-harvest losses, 69 of the planned 80 warehouses with a 1,000-ton capacity each have been built, along with aggregation centers and packhouses to support vegetable farmers.
The Youth in Agriculture initiative, with 100,000 starter packs for young farmers, is part of the government’s effort to attract younger generations to farming, providing them with essential tools and protective equipment.
In the cocoa sector, Akufo-Addo highlighted the $400 per ton Living Income Differential introduced through a partnership with CĂ´te d’Ivoire, as well as a pension scheme for retired cocoa farmers.
In April 2024, Ghana inaugurated the CĂ´te d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative headquarters in Accra, strengthening Ghana’s position in international markets.
For fisheries, the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme, launched in July 2024, aims to increase domestic fish production while creating 50,000 jobs for youth and women.
Modern fishing harbors in Elmina and Jamestown are enhancing fish handling and storage capabilities, supporting local economies.
President Akufo-Addo concluded by affirming his administration’s commitment to agricultural progress: “We have laid a foundation for a secure, climate-resilient agricultural future—one that will ensure food security, create jobs, and build wealth for generations to come.”