Jun 12, 2026
The Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for large-scale investment across the rice value chain to transform agriculture, strengthen food security, and drive economic growth across West Africa.
Speaking on behalf of President John Mahama at the opening of the two-day West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, on June 2, 2026, the Vice President said the gathering is not only about rice production but also about economic transformation, regional integration, and Africa’s ability to feed itself sustainably.
She noted that food security extends beyond agriculture and is closely linked to macroeconomic stability, social protection, national security, and geopolitical resilience.
“The disruptions of recent years, including climate shocks, export restrictions, trade tariffs, and geopolitical tensions, have exposed the fragility of global food systems,” she said. “Countries that import too much food also import vulnerability.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted West Africa’s vast agricultural potential, citing its fertile land, abundant water resources, entrepreneurial farmers, growing consumer markets, and youthful population. Despite these advantages, she observed that Africa continues to spend billions of dollars annually on food imports, including rice, while demand continues to rise.
According to her, the region’s challenge is not merely increasing rice production but mobilising the capital required to transform agriculture from subsistence farming into a modern commercial sector supported by integrated value chains.
“West Africa must see rice as a strategic economic asset,” she said, stressing that investment in the sector could create jobs, boost industrialisation, and strengthen economies against future global shocks.
The Vice President said Ghana’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, which forms part of the government’s broader economic recovery programme, is focused on building integrated agricultural value chains and linking production to processing, logistics, exports, and agro-industrial development.
She noted that Ghana’s improving macroeconomic environment is helping to lay the foundation for agricultural transformation and attracting long-term investment.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised that unlocking West Africa’s rice potential would require “transformational capital” that is patient, competitive, infrastructure-driven, and capable of strengthening entire agricultural systems.
She called for investments in irrigation, agro-processing, research, climate-smart agriculture, and other critical areas that would support sustainable production and value addition.
“Put simply, this means financing agriculture as an industry,” she said.
The Vice President further underscored the importance of partnerships among governments, private sector players, development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, commercial banks, and institutional investors to drive agricultural transformation.
She also stressed the need for climate-conscious investments, warning that climate variability continues to affect rainfall patterns, productivity, and food systems across the Sahel and coastal West Africa.
“Africa’s agricultural future should be viewed not only through the lens of vulnerability but also through the lens of growth,” she stated, describing the sector as one of the continent’s greatest opportunities for investment, industrial development, and export expansion.
The Vice President said the changing global food economy presents an opportunity for Africa to position itself as a major production hub as demand grows and food resilience becomes increasingly strategic.
She urged West African countries to pursue ambitious agricultural development strategies similar to nations that successfully transformed from food-deficit economies into industrial powers.
Reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to the regional agenda, she said the country would continue to strengthen policy coordination, improve infrastructure, deepen regional cooperation, and create an enabling environment for long-term investment across the rice value chain.
She called for stronger partnerships to ensure Africa’s food future is secured through local production and sustainable investment.
“The future of African food security must be grown in African soil, financed by beneficial partnerships, powered by African enterprise, and sustained through our collective commitment,” she said.
The West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable brings together policymakers, development partners, investors, agribusiness leaders, and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for investment and collaboration aimed at boosting rice production and food security across the region.
Jun 12, 2026
President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted agriculture as a central pillar of Ghana’s development agenda and identified Belarus as a valuable partner in efforts to modernise the sector through mechanisation, technology transfer, research, and investment.
He also outlined opportunities for expanded collaboration in education, renewable energy, trade, industry, and other areas critical to sustainable economic growth.
President Mahama said these when he paid a State Visit to the Republic of Belarus. He held a tête-à-tête meeting with President Alexander Lukashenko, followed by bilateral discussions between the delegations of both countries aimed at strengthening cooperation across key sectors of their economies.
The engagements culminated in the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), marking an important step in advancing Ghana-Belarus relations. The agreements cover the establishment of a Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, collaboration between the Chambers of Commerce of both countries, and enhanced cooperation in the field of agriculture.
The MoUs were signed on behalf of Ghana by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Ghana’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Mr. Jehu Appiah; and the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku.
Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, President Mahama described the visit as a significant milestone in the relationship between Ghana and Belarus, emphasizing the shared commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation based on mutual respect, equality, and practical outcomes.
President Mahama noted that the agreements signed provide a framework for stronger engagement between state institutions and the private sectors of both countries, creating new opportunities for investment, innovation, and job creation.
He expressed confidence that the outcomes of the visit would usher in a new chapter in Ghana-Belarus relations, translating shared aspirations into concrete initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for the people of both nations.
Jun 12, 2026
More than 600 young women from communities across the Savelugu Municipality gathered at the Diari School Park on June 6, 2026, for a pre-season durbar under the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Programme, signalling a growing interest among women in commercial agriculture and agribusiness.
The event, organised by Newage Agric Solutions Ltd., forms part of efforts to prepare participants for the 2026 soybean and rice production season.
The HAPPY Programme, a four-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited, is being implemented by an eight-member consortium, including Newage Agric Solutions Ltd., to create employment opportunities for young people, particularly women, in the rice, soybean, tomato and poultry value chains.
Addressing the gathering, the Diare Lana, Naa Abukari, encouraged the young women to take advantage of opportunities within the agricultural sector and position themselves as drivers of economic transformation in their communities.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture for Savelugu, Mr Baba Musah, also underscored the critical role of women in achieving food security and sustainable agricultural growth, urging participants to adopt modern farming practices and utilise extension services available under the programme.
Participants received training and guidance on production planning, input access, farm management and agronomic best practices. Extension officers and technical experts also engaged them on strategies to improve productivity and manage farming risks.
Several attendees described the initiative as an important platform that is helping to remove barriers that have historically limited women’s participation in commercial agriculture.
The General Manager of Newage Agric Solutions Ltd., Mr Martin Tettey Nartey, said the turnout reflected a growing determination among young women to view agriculture not only as a source of livelihood but as a viable business venture.
“The overwhelming turnout of over 600 young women is evidence of a growing appetite among women to embrace agriculture not only as a livelihood but as a business capable of generating wealth and creating employment,” he said.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the programme will contribute to increased productivity, economic empowerment and long-term transformation within farming communities across the Northern Region.
Source: myjoyonline.com
Jun 11, 2026
The Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Ruth Dela Seddoh, has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and agribusiness value chain to embrace innovation and modern techniques to make the sector more appealing to the youth.
Speaking at the Ghana Youth Agriculture Summit held in Sunyani on Friday, she noted that agriculture holds significant opportunities capable of addressing youth unemployment if properly harnessed through technology and modern practices.
She explained that emerging technologies are transforming farming systems and making agriculture more efficient, productive and commercially viable for the youth.
“Today, technology is changing the face of agriculture through precision farming, drone technology, smart irrigation systems, artificial intelligence, mechanised processing and value addition,” she said.
She further revealed that the National Service Authority is actively promoting agriculture through demonstration farms across 12 regions, with its Papao Farms in Accra currently managing over 90,000 birds under its poultry programme.
Jun 11, 2026
The Ministry of Finance has released GH¢1.677 billion to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 2026, representing 85% of the ministry’s approved budget for Goods and Services, and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).
The disclosure was made by Deputy Minister for Finance Thomas Nyarko Ampem during the launch of Ghana’s National Pact for Agricultural Transformation, Food Security, and Employment (AgriConnect Compact) on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The announcement directly challenges claims that the Ministry of Finance has failed to provide adequate funding to key ministries and state institutions.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Nyarko Ampem said President Mahama’s administration is matching its agricultural transformation agenda with substantial financial commitments and targeted investments.
According to him, the government’s commitment to agriculture is evident in a number of flagship programmes being implemented under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
He added that the government’s vision for agriculture extends beyond increasing production to transforming the entire agricultural value chain, improving food security, creating jobs, and strengthening economic growth.
To support this agenda, he announced that significant resources had already been released by the Ministry of Finance to fund critical interventions across the sector.
“I am pleased to confirm that we have released GH¢1.677 billion, representing 85% of the approved 2026 Budget for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,” he stated.
