The Minister for Food and Agriculture has disclosed a significant drop in food inflation, which plummeted from an unprecedented 61% in January 2023 to 9.5% by October 2025, according to a presentation made at the Government Accountability Series. The Minister highlighted that the government is aggressively pursuing agricultural self-sufficiency and modernization through major infrastructure investments and international partnerships.
A key focus is rice production, with a goal of achieving rice seed independence by 2027 by producing 10,000 tons of high-quality rice seed. This is supported by a new collaboration with the Korea Rural Cooperation (KRC) to develop irrigation infrastructure on 100 hectares of land specifically for rice seed production.
In a massive boost to the sector, the Minister announced the establishment of a $3.5 billion fertilizer production plant and academy in Ghana by Almansour Holding, which will also undertake a separate $1.5 billion all-year-round food production initiative aimed at exporting to Qatar. Further international investment includes a €154 million partnership with the Government of Italy and BF International to develop a 10,000-hectare irrigated model farm for the year-round production of rice, maize, soya, and tomato.
Domestically, the government is expanding its water management capacity, constructing 10 new small dams, rehabilitating 8 existing dams, and deploying 250 solar-powered boreholes across the northern, Bono, and Ahafo regions, alongside the ongoing rehabilitation of major schemes like Vea, Weta, Kpong, and Ashaiman.
Complementing these major investments are significant value chain strengthening projects. Under the Ghana Tree Crops Diversification Project (TCDP), a US$100 million initiative, over 6 million elite cashew, coconut, and rubber seedlings are being distributed free of charge to 10,000 registered farmers, with targets set to distribute 6 million seedlings by 2026.
The government is also ramping up poultry production under the “Nkokor Nketenkete Programme”, which is set for a full rollout over the next four weeks, promising to supply 10,000 birds to each Constituency in Ghana.
Additionally, input support is being distributed to farmers, including significant quantities of various fertilizers and seeds, while new agro-processing enterprises, such as rice processing in Tono, a poultry feed plant in Kaase, and cashew and onion processing facilities in Techiman, are receiving support to expand capacity and generate local employment.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
