Sep 25, 2026
President John Mahama says Ghana must urgently transition from exporting raw commodities while importing finished products that can increasingly be produced locally.
He says changing this pattern is critical to creating jobs, strengthening Ghanaian enterprises and expanding the productive base of the economy.
Speaking at the US-Ghana Presidential Roundtable, President Mahama said Ghana’s significant production of cocoa, gold, manganese and agricultural commodities must translate into greater value addition within the country.
“Ghana produces cocoa, gold, manganese, and many other commodities. Our farmers grow cashew nuts, shea fruits, vegetables, and grains, and yet too much still leaves our country in the raw form, while we import finished products that we could increasingly produce at home. This pattern must change if we are to create enough jobs and build stronger Ghanaian enterprises.”
He cited agriculture as a key area where Ghana can expand processing and manufacturing, particularly in cocoa, cashew, shea, horticulture, grains, poultry, livestock and food production.
According to President Mahama: “Processing more of what our farmers produce in Ghana creates a market for farmers, work for processors, businesses for suppliers, transporters, and jobs along the value chain.”
He also urged investors and Ghanaian businesses to look beyond the domestic market and position themselves to serve the wider African market.
President Mahama pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, which brings together a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people, with its Secretariat headquartered in Accra.
He said companies establishing production capacity in Ghana should view the country as a base for accessing markets across West Africa and the wider continent as AfCFTA implementation progresses.
“Do not look at Ghana’s 34 million population only for what you can sell there.”
Source:https://www.citinewsroom.com/
Sep 25, 2026
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and a Ghanaian-based agribusiness company, ABC Oyeasase Yie Ltd, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the latter to establish a fertiliser blending plant in the country.
The $50 million plant, to be sited in the Eastern Region, is expected to produce enough organic fertiliser for farmers not only in Ghana but the sub-region.Africans & Diaspora
The plant, with an annual capacity of 500,000 metric tonnes, is to support the national food security programme, which will feed into the company’s sustainable agriculture production strategy.
The sector minister, Eric Opoku and Director of ABC Oyeasase Yie Ltd, Samuel Adimado, signed for their respective institutions in Accra yesterday, and it was witnessed by the Managing Director of ABC Oyeasase Yie Ltd, Rev. Mark Nyantakyi.
In a brief statement, Mr Opoku encouraged the company to let the signing reflect on the ground by starting the project right away.
“We want to see real action on the ground. And so, you need to give us an assurance that after signing, within some days, we will see action on the ground.
“So that the ministry, after signing, will also prepare itself to take up some of your produce to support the Feed Ghana programme,” he said.
He said all over the world, agriculture was shifting towards organic, because food produced was meant for consumption, “and even before production, we need to protect the health of the soil”.
“With organic fertiliser, we are able to protect the health of the soil and then make it more productive so that we can maximise our yield. It is also environmentally friendly,” the minister said.
Organic fertiliser
For his part, Mr Adimado said all was set for the commencement of the plant, adding, “All that is required to kick-start is ready, and that is why we are here to sign the MoU”.
Mr Adimado gave the assurance that the signing of the MoU would not be a talk shop, but that the business plan and the financing sourcing would be enough for a full-fledged fertiliser blending facility.
He explained that “this fertiliser is organic-based, which means that it will not only feed the plants but also take care of the soil”.
“We need a farming system that will protect the soil, as well as feed the plant,” Mr Adimado added.
He explained that the source of the bulk of the fertiliser would be from the sub-region, and it would also help in the regional supply of fertiliser.
“If you look at the AfCFTA model, we have positioned ourselves so that the fertiliser will not only feed our country, but also contribute to the West Africa sub-region,” he said
Sep 25, 2026
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has announced that the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) will immediately release 50,000 bags of 50-kilogramme rice to settle Ghana’s outstanding obligation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Minister made the announcement at the maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NAFCO, where he highlighted the company’s improved food stock position and financial performance.
According to Hon. Eric Opoku, Ghana borrowed rice from ECOWAS in 2018 to support the School Feeding Programme.
He said improved management of NAFCO and increased procurement of food commodities had enabled the company to accumulate sufficient rice stocks to repay the obligation.
“Today, by the grace of God, and with prudent management of the company, we have been able to procure enough, more than enough, for us to pay back what we borrowed,” the Minister said.
He explained that the immediate release of the 50,000 bags would enable Ghana to settle its rice obligation to ECOWAS, adding that the country would no longer need to borrow rice.
The Minister disclosed that NAFCO’s current rice stock stands at 20,443 metric tonnes, describing the development as an indication of improved food availability and strengthened national food security.
Ghana records increased maize production
Hon. Eric Opoku also highlighted developments in Ghana’s maize production following the implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme.
He said that after one year of implementing the programme, Ghana had produced maize in excess of domestic demand.
According to the Minister, the national maize balance is estimated at 3.6 million tonnes, while Ghana produced 4.6 million tonnes of maize in 2025 alone.
He said the development demonstrated progress in efforts to strengthen domestic food production and reduce Ghana’s dependence on food imports.
NAFCO records GH¢91.7 million profit
The Minister further disclosed significant improvement in NAFCO’s financial performance.
According to the company’s 2025 audited accounts submitted to the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), NAFCO moved from a net loss of GH¢19 million in 2024 to a net profit of GH¢91.7 million in 2025.
The company’s gross profit margin also increased from 1.61 percent in 2024 to 13.96 percent in 2025.
Hon. Eric Opoku commended the Board and Management of NAFCO for the improvement in the company’s financial performance and urged them to sustain prudent management practices while ensuring the long-term viability of the company.
He stressed the importance of NAFCO’s role in managing Ghana’s strategic food reserves and supporting government’s efforts to strengthen food security.
The maiden Annual General Meeting provided an opportunity for the company to review its performance, assess its financial position and outline strategies to strengthen its operations and contribution to Ghana’s food security agenda.
Source:https://agrictoday.com.gh/
Sep 25, 2026
The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has recorded its highest profit in 16 years, posting a Net Profit Before Tax of GH¢91.7 million for 2025.
The figure marks a major turnaround for the company, which recorded a loss of GH¢19.4 million in the previous year.
Presenting his review at NAFCO’s first-ever Annual General Meeting, CEO George Abradu-Otoo described 2025 as a landmark year in the company’s history.
“The financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025 represent a landmark in NAFCO’s history,” he said.
He noted that NAFCO had recorded profits in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, but the highest profit before 2025 was GH¢2.8 million.
The company’s gross profit margin also surged from 1.61% in 2024 to 13.96% in 2025.
Return on Operating Assets moved from-63.80% to 26.29%, reflecting what the CEO described as a major improvement in the deployment and management of the company’s assets.
NAFCO also paid GH¢20.3 million in taxes to the state in 2025, the highest annual tax contribution in its 16-year history.
Mr Abradu-Otoo attributed the turnaround partly to structural reforms and stronger corporate governance.
These included the establishment of a dedicated Procurement Department, a strengthened Internal Audit Department, a fortified Food Safety Department and the reconstitution of the Board and its sub-committees.
He said the company had also improved its regional operations.
“All our 16 regional offices are operational and active,” he said, following the provision of vehicles, office equipment and additional staff.
NAFCO also revamped the National Food Reserve Programme with an initial GH¢100 million government funding.
By December 31, 2025, the company had stocked 36,597 bags of maize, 21,287 bags of rice and 5,982 bags of gari in warehouses across the country.
The company also supplied 18 different non-perishable food commodities to 733 second-cycle institutions under the Free SHS programme.
Despite the financial gains, Mr Abradu-Otoo said NAFCO still faces working capital challenges.
He said liquidity remains adequate but marginal, requiring measures to create a stronger buffer and reduce risk.
“The year 2025 was a turning point. We recorded our highest profit in 16 years. We improved payments to our suppliers. We resourced our regions. We paid the highest tax to the state,” he said.
“We have consolidated. We have shown what is possible. Now we build.”
Source: https://www.myjoyonline.com/
Sep 23, 2026
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says its interventions have expanded support for millions of vulnerable Ghanaians, with significant gains recorded in school feeding, social protection, disability support and gender equality.
Presenting the Ministry’s performance at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the interventions were aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable and socially excluded groups while strengthening systems for long-term protection.
She said the Ministry’s work was being driven by five priority areas: strengthening social protection, advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, protecting children and strengthening families, supporting vulnerable and excluded persons including persons with disabilities, and tackling violence, abuse and exploitation.
Dr Lartey said 4.53 million children now benefit from daily hot meals under the Ghana School Feeding Programme, up from 4.03 million in 2024.
She also said LEAP coverage had increased from 350,000 to 450,000 households, while the average grant had risen from GH¢360 in 2024 to GH¢569.14 in 2026.
The Minister further reported that 11.24 million people had been profiled under the National Household Registry, providing a broader database for targeting social protection interventions.
She added that 19,760 persons with disabilities had benefited directly from the Disability Common Fund.
On institutional reforms, Dr Lartey pointed to the passage of the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148), describing it as a major step towards providing a legal framework for the coordination and delivery of social protection services.
She said the Ministry’s performance should not be measured solely by the number of beneficiaries reached, but also by the difference its interventions make in the lives of individuals and families.
Dr Lartey said the Ministry would continue strengthening social protection systems and improving interventions targeted at children, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable and excluded groups.
Source:https://www.myjoyonline.com/
Sep 22, 2026
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured Senior High School (SHS) students across the country that adequate provisions have been made to ensure uninterrupted feeding as schools reopen for the 2026/2027 academic year.Government
The Minister also announced that President John Dramani Mahama has directed a review of the SHS menu to improve the quality and nutritional value of meals served to students, including the provision of eggs and chicken.
Mr Iddrisu gave the assurance during visits to Asankragwa Senior High School and Asankragwa Senior High Technical School in the Western Region on Friday, September 18, 2026, as students reported for the new academic year.
“I will follow further to examine the data, and then we’ll ensure that you don’t lack food. We make adequate provision for your meals. I’m happy to announce that President John Dramani Mahama has directed that we review your menu to make it better,” he said.
“We’re introducing eggs and chicken as part of your menu,” he added.
The Education Minister is visiting rural and Category C schools across the country to assess how students are reporting on the first day of the academic year, examine the facilities available to them and identify areas requiring attention as the government takes steps to upgrade school infrastructure and improve the learning environment.
The visits are also providing the Ministry with an opportunity to engage school authorities and students directly on challenges affecting teaching, learning and student welfare.Education
The assurance on feeding comes amid the government’s efforts to address challenges associated with the implementation of the Free Senior High School programme and ensure that students receive adequate and nutritious meals.
For the 2026 fiscal year, the government has allocated GH¢4.2 billion for feeding under the Free SHS programme, as part of a total allocation of GH¢9.6 billion to support the programme.
The government says the increased attention to feeding forms part of broader measures to improve the quality of Free SHS and ensure that students can learn in an environment where their basic welfare needs are adequately addressed.
Source:https://www.citinewsroom.com/
