Sep 25, 2025
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu has commissioned and handed over a new office space for use by the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in Ho. The new office is expected to enhance the operations of the company for both the Volta and Oti Regions.
The two-room offices, an initiative of the Regional Minister, was rehabilitated and partly furnished by the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council, following an appeal by the Chief Executive of NAFCO, Mr. George Abradu-Otoo upon assumption of office earlier this year.
Speaking at commissioning and handing-over ceremony in Ho, Mr. Gunu said the agrarian nature of the region coupled with the fact that agriculture is the biggest employer of the region’s inhabitants necessitated the need to forge partnership with NAFCO as the national aggregator.
According to him, the partnership is intended to ensure farmers in the region do not suffer post-harvest losses since a well-resourced NAFCO will be in position to provide ready market for farm produce.
“Sixty percent of our people are into agriculture …that is not enough. It is my intention that we deliberately use agriculture to improve the local economy and reduce unemployment, particularly among the youth. This is part of my 3-point agenda for the region”.
The Chief Executive of NAFCO, Mr. George Abradu-Otoo announced his outfit has received some financial resources from government to purchase surplus grains to forestall a potential glut and increase incidence of post-harvest losses in some parts of the country.
He described reported incidents of glut as regrettable and indicated that “in the next few days, Buffer Stock will be out there mopping up the excess grains into the National Food Security Reserve (NFSR) which has been revived on the orders of President John Dramani Mahama”.
He explained that the revival of the national food reserve further reflects government’s dedication to enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by creating an enabling environment where farming is made profitable, sustainable, and attractive to the younger generation.
He indicated that as part of the measures, NAFCO commenced processes to rehabilitate its Warehouses and other storage facilities dotted across the country to safeguard produce anticipated in bumper harvests as a result of the numerous interventions by government in the agriculture front.
He expressed gratitude to the Volta Regional Minister for spearheading the provision of offices to the company to promote its activities in the two regions.
The Volta Regional Manager of NAFCO, Mr. Bright Delali Kugbeadzor said the new office will improve service delivery in the region.
The ceremony attracted many dignitaries including Mr. Clement Kofi Humado, a former Minister for Food and Agriculture; Mr. Henry Ametefe, a former Deputy Volta Regional Minister; Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. William Dzamefe; and Togbe Akamu V, Chief of Anlo Afiadenyigba.
Sep 25, 2025
The CEO of National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), George Abradu-Otoo, has visited Mawuli School at Ho to acquaint himself with the food supply situation. This is part of a two-day working visit to the Volta Region.
NAFCO and the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) supply non-perishable food to state-assisted High Schools, Technical and Vocational institutions under the Free Senior High School programme, otherwise known as Free SHS.
Accompanied by the Company’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Emmanuel J. K. Arthur; Operations Manager, Aziz Peregrino-Braimah, and the Volta Regional Manager, Bright Delali Kugbeadzor.
The NAFCO boss held discussions with school officials, including the Headmaster, Benjamin Deh, who indicated the school had adequate food stocks for students’ upkeep. He told the visiting team that the food supply processes have seen much improvement over the last few months and expressed the hope that the gains will be further enhanced.
Mr Abradu-Otoo assured that the new leadership of the company is working hard to ensure all bottlenecks relating to the Free SHS food supplies are resolved for the programme’s smooth implementation.
“We are doing all we can to ensure the timely supply of food commodities to the schools. In doing so, it is our wish that quality and quantity are not compromised in any way”.
The team was conducted around the school’s food storage facilities. The Buffer Stock CEO and his team later inspected the state of a Warehouse at Dzodze in the Ketu North Municipality. The 1000 metric tonne capacity Warehouse was built by government under the One District One Warehouse initiative and is expected to be used for the storage of grains.
Ketu North Municipal Chief Executive, Rev. Martin Amenaki, who conducted the team around, said aside a few repair works, the Warehouse was in good condition to store food commodities. He said the utilisation of the facilities will offer significant relief to farmers in the area, most of whom experienced bumper harvests.
Mr Abradu-Otoo said urgent steps were being taken to put all such facilities across the country to use for the benefit of smallholder farmers in particular and agribusiness players in general as NAFCO seeks to revamp the National Food Security Reserve (NFSR).
SOURCE: MYJOYONLINE
Jun 17, 2025
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has officially sworn in the newly appointed 9-member board of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO). The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to enhance food security and stabilize food prices in Ghana.
The board, chaired by Hon. Eric Osei Owusu (PhD), former Member of Parliament for Afram Plains South constituency, comprises distinguished individuals with diverse expertise. The members include Eng. Sir Joseph Osei, Janet Adama, Collins Mahama, Stephen Baffoe, Daniel Atta Kusi, George Otoo, Michael Ologo, and Hajia Fati Benedicta.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Minister Opoku charged the board members to work diligently towards achieving the company’s objectives. He emphasized the importance of their role in ensuring food security and stabilizing food prices, particularly in times of scarcity. The minister urged the board to be proactive in identifying challenges and developing effective strategies to address them.
In his response, Dr. Eric Osei Owusu, the chairman, expressed gratitude to the President and Minister Opoku for entrusting the board with this critical responsibility. On behalf of his colleagues, he pledged to work tirelessly to meet the expectations of Ghanaians. The chairman assured the minister that the board would prioritize transparency, accountability, and efficiency in managing the company’s resources.
With their diverse backgrounds and expertise, the board members are well-equipped to drive NAFCO’s mission forward. Their appointment is expected to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the company’s operations, ultimately benefiting the Ghanaian people.
As the board embarks on its new mandate, it is poised to make a significant impact on Ghana’s food security landscape. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, the board aims to develop and implement effective strategies that will enhance food availability, accessibility, and affordability for all Ghanaians.
Jun 17, 2025
Food and Agriculture Minister, Eric Opoku, has sworn into office a new governing board for the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in Accra.
The 9-member board is chaired by a former Chief Executive of the company, Dr. Eric Osei-Owusu and is expected to oversee the activities of the company.
The board has Ingr. Sir Joseph Charles Osei, Madam Janet Chigabatia-Adama, Mr. Collins Mahama and Mr. Stephen Baffoe as members.
Other members of the board are the company’s Chief Executive Officer, George Abradu-Otoo; Daniel Atta-Kusi; Michael Ologo and Hajia Benedicta Fati Skido-Achulo.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister announced government has for the first time made a budgetary allocation to stock the national food reserve held by the National Food Buffer Stock Company. He said the maintenance of strategic stock by NAFCO is critical in mitigating the impact of disasters and emergencies.
“We need Buffer Stock in operation to step out to buy and to store in order not to discourage farmers and consumers, and President Mahama is committed to this”.
Board Chairman, Dr. Eric Osei-Owusu pledged the commitment of the Board to ensure the company works in alignment with government’s programmes and policies within the food security frame.
“It is obvious that Buffer Stock has a crucial role to play in achieving the beautiful targets set in the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), which focuses on modernising agriculture and promoting agri-business to reduce food inflation, ensure food security, boost exports and create sustainable jobs”.
He said the company is poised to assert its role as the state food security reserve and national aggregator to effectively deal with post-harvest losses, reduction in food inflation and employment creation for our teaming youth.
“This is how we intend to contribute towards the Re-Set Agenda”.
Source:- JoyOnline
Jun 17, 2025
The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) is seeking an intervention by the United Nations food agency, the World Food Programme (WFP), to enhance food systems.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Osmond Amuah, believes that infrastructural overhaul, the infusion of innovation, technology and best practices will contribute towards resilient systems to advance food security in Ghana.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that some two million people are the risk of facing food insecurity.
Interacting with a visiting WFP technical team in Accra, Mr Osmond hinted at a move by government to beef up the national food stock by making available some GH¢100 million for grain purchases as it takes steps to avert the recurrence of the drought that hit part of northern Ghana last year.
“That drought was catastrophic…it worsened the level of poverty. We are doing everything possible to ensure the level of impact is minimised should it even occur again”, he said.
The four-member team from the WFP Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal, was led by Dr. Ones Karuho, Head of Resilience and Food Systems and included Programme Policy Officer, Albert Akafari; Agribusiness Consultant, Foster Gomashie; and Diarde Ba, Food Systems Officer.
The team was in Ghana to hold in-country consultations with stakeholders on the Country Strategic Plan and WFP Food Security Strategy currently being developed.
NAFCO and WFP have been working together under the South-South Cooperation Triangle as well as the Rice Fortification initiative under the Rockefeller Project.
Chief Executive Officer of NAFCO, George Abradu-Otoo, said a major focus of the company’s operation has been to work in alignment with the government’s Feed Ghana programme to address food inflation issues and improve the lives of the vulnerable.
He called for stronger ties among partners towards the attainment of SDG goals relating to food security and health.
The WFP Regional Head of Resilience and Food Systems, Dr. Ones Karuho, pledged WFP’s readiness to partner with NAFCO to strengthen key areas such as Warehouse Management, food safety and procurement processes.
“We are desirous of working with NAFCO on many important strategic areas, to better the lives of farmers, young people and the vulnerable”.
Source:-Joy Online
Jun 13, 2025
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has assured Ghanaians that there will be no food shortages in the coming months. Speaking at the launch of the government’s $200 million Tree Crop Diversification Project in Accra, he expressed confidence that food prices would remain stable, particularly ahead of the festive season.
This assurance comes as the cost of food in Ghana rose by 22.8% in October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Ghana Statistical Service. Food inflation in Ghana has averaged 14.99% since 2013, with a peak of 61.0% in January 2023 and a record low of 5.0% in July 2014.
The Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project, launched in partnership with the World Bank, aims to address challenges in the country’s food supply system by promoting the production, processing, and trading of six high-value tree crops: cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm.
According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the project is expected to directly benefit 52,775 farmers and households, with a focus on cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber farmers. Additionally, 185 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in processing these crops will also gain from the initiative.
Dr. Acheampong highlighted the tree crop sector’s critical role in agriculture and the economy, providing income for over 1.6 million farming households. The initiative is projected to create 20,000 jobs, with 60% targeting youth employment.
Under the theme “Sowing the Seeds of the Future: Unlocking Ghana’s Tree Crop Potential for Inclusive and Sustainable Transformation,” the project seeks to address key challenges such as deforestation, climate change, and other environmental threats that jeopardize the country’s agricultural sustainability.
In addition to diversification, the government is focusing on modernizing the cocoa sector. The Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is currently implementing its second Cocoa Sector Development Strategy (CSDS-II), spanning 2017 to 2027.
“This strategy addresses past shortcomings, including ineffective management of the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) and the lack of robust information systems,” Dr. Acheampong noted.
Key interventions under CSDS-II include: enhancing productivity and efficiency, driving innovation and quality management, improving traceability and certification and economic benefits.
Dr. Acheampong emphasized the significant opportunities offered by the tree crop sector for economic diversification, job creation, poverty reduction, foreign exchange earnings, and gross domestic product (GDP) contribution.
Despite Ghana’s ample arable land for cocoa production, the minister acknowledged the growing threats posed by deforestation and climate change. He warned that if these trends persist, many cocoa-farming households could face economic hardships, and the country’s foreign exchange revenues could decline.
The Tree Crop Diversification Project marks a critical step toward ensuring inclusive and sustainable transformation of Ghana’s agricultural landscape while bolstering food security and economic resilience.
