Nov 25, 2025
The Internal Audit Department at the National Food Buffer Stock Company ( NAFCO) has held a two-day capacity building training for staff of the company.
The Resource Persons from the Internal Audit Agency ( IAA) took participants through the work of Internal Auditors, the independence of Internal Auditors, Audit Procedures, Risks Management, among others.
Nov 19, 2025
Ghana and Nebraska have launched a new agricultural partnership through the Ghana–Nebraska AgriWater Summit, creating opportunities in irrigation technology, academic exchange and agribusiness development between the West African nation and the American Midwest state.
The summit, held under the theme “Cultivating Solutions Across Continents,” brought together Ghanaian government officials, Nebraska state leaders, academic institutions and industry representatives to address shared challenges in climate-smart agriculture and sustainable water management.
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Co-Founder of the Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber (GNEBCham) and Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, explained that the partnership targets irrigation development, farming modernisation and food system resilience. She noted that both regions face comparable agricultural challenges, making their collaboration strategically valuable.
“Through platforms like this, we are cultivating real partnerships that bring technology, expertise and investment together to drive sustainable agricultural growth,” she said.
A 15-member Ghanaian delegation, including Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture John Dumelo and Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture, participated in an extensive study tour at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and its Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.
The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute works to address the global challenge of achieving food security with less stress on water resources through water management in agricultural and food systems. The delegation examined Nebraska’s water management systems, agritech models, livestock operations and mechanised farming technologies.
Dumelo described the experience as transformative, stating that Nebraska’s agricultural ecosystem offers lessons Ghana can apply, from irrigation technologies to livestock management. “This partnership can reshape our agricultural systems back home,” he added.
The summit established foundations for long-term academic collaboration between Ghanaian universities and UNL, with frameworks being developed for joint research programmes, faculty and student exchanges, curriculum development and collaborative innovation initiatives.
Dr. Otokunor emphasised that modern agriculture requires strong knowledge systems. “We cannot modernise agriculture without innovation. This partnership strengthens our academic and research foundations,” he said.
The delegation also met with Nebraska state officials, agribusiness firms and cooperatives including Beck’s Hybrid Seeds, PetSource by Tyson Foods, and Farmers’ Cooperatives to explore commercial partnerships.
Nebraska Senator Ken Schilz described the collaboration as a pathway to shared prosperity. “Ghana brings innovation and energy; Nebraska brings infrastructure and experience. Together we are building a bridge for global food security,” he said.
Several memorandums of understanding and partnership agreements between Ghanaian and Nebraskan institutions are being finalised. GNEBCham indicated these agreements will translate knowledge exchange into measurable impact, boosting productivity, supporting agricultural entrepreneurs and promoting sustainable agricultural growth.
Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, Vice President of GNEBCham, said the summit marks the beginning of a long-term movement. “This is more than a summit, it is a platform to strengthen trade relations, bridge agribusiness ecosystems and empower the next generation of agricultural innovators.”
Source: GhanaNews
Nov 17, 2025
Member of Parliament for Ekumfi, Dr. Othniel Ekow Kwainoe, has called for increased investment in the agricultural sector, emphasising its critical role in Ghana’s economy and the livelihoods of citizens.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, November 15, Dr. Kwainoe highlighted government initiatives such as the Farmer Service Centres, the retooling of farmers, and the Big Push programme, which will target roads, as positive steps.
However, he stressed that more investment is needed to fully harness the sector’s potential.
He noted that enhanced support for agriculture would create jobs, particularly for the youth, and strengthen socio-economic development across constituencies like Ekumfi.
“The decisions the government has taken, especially in the agricultural sector, give me a lot of comfort. Looking at my constituency, farming remains a very important factor in our socio-economic lives, so if the government is doing that for us, it is one thing I am really going to commend the government for.
“I believe that there should be more investment into the agricultural sector because today, it has been a big influence on our inflation, exchange rate and literally the producer price of everything in Ghana. For me the agricultural side is key,” he stated.
Source: CitiNewsRoom
Nov 17, 2025
The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture , John Dumelo , speaking on GTV’s breakfast show on November 14, 2025 outlined how the government is leveraging technology, mechanization, and value-chain initiatives to make farming more profitable and sustainable. “Efficiency drives productivity. It drives profitability. With these interventions, we’re not just planting crops, we’re building the future of Ghana’s agriculture,” he said.
A key pillar of this transformation is the Feed Ghana program, which aims to equip both institutional and smallholder farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
He added that , this year alone, 50 farm service centers are set to be established nationwide, providing access to tractors, combine harvesters, irrigation systems, improved seeds, and expert agricultural guidance. These centers will decentralize support, giving farmers in even the most remote areas the resources to maximize productivity.
The government is also tackling post-harvest losses through the establishment of processing facilities for key crops. A newly commissioned tomato processing factory in Agogo converts excess harvests into paste and ketchup, with similar initiatives underway for onions. These efforts aim to reduce post-harvest losses from as high as 40% to below 15% in coming years.
Technology is playing a central role in this revolution. AI-driven devices such as FarmSense allow farmers to analyze soil composition and apply fertilizers with precision, while modern tractors and irrigation systems are equipped with AI to optimize water and nutrient use. Tailor-made solutions ensure each region’s unique soil and climate conditions are accounted for, improving crop yields and efficiency across the board.
Other sectors are not left behind. Investments in poultry, fisheries, and oil palm plantations are creating jobs and reducing import dependence, while establishing complete value chains for local production. The oil palm initiative alone is projected to generate over 250,000 jobs while producing locally refined edible oils.
The Minister emphasized that Ghana’s agricultural transformation is not only about increasing output, it’s about creating a resilient, modern, and profitable sector that can attract youth participation, reduce reliance on imports, and build export capacity.
With technology, mechanization, and value-chain innovation at the heart of these reforms, Ghana is positioning itself to become a model for agricultural efficiency and sustainability in Ghana.
Source: CitiNewsRoom
Nov 14, 2025
Ghana’s agriculture sector recorded strong growth of 6 per cent in the first half of 2025, more than doubling the 2.9 per cent growth from the previous year.
The expansion was broad-based, led by crops (6.2 per cent), livestock (5.8 per cent ), and fishing (7.7 per cent).
This was revealed by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson while presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government for the year ending 31 December 2026, in Parliament on Thursday, November 13.
He said a key highlight was the recovery in cocoa production, which bounced back from a 21.4 per cent contraction in 2024 to 2.8 per cent growth in 2025.
Dr Ato Forson said the rebound was attributed to improved pest control, timely fertilizer distribution, and continued investment in farmer support programmes.
He added that agriculture’s performance underscores Ghana’s broader and more resilient growth, supported by higher household consumption, rising exports, and disciplined government spending — signalling a steady, job-creating recovery rooted in productivity and inclusiveness.
“Agriculture also delivered a robust performance, growing by 6.0 percent in the first half of 2025, compared to 2.9 percent a year earlier. Growth was broad-based, with crops expanding by 6.2 percent, livestock by 5.8 percent, and fishing by 7.7 percent,” he said.
“Most notably, cocoa production rebounded from a sharp contraction of 21.4 percent in the first half of 2024 to a positive 2.8 percent growth in 2025. This recovery was made possible by improved pest control, timely fertilizer distribution, and sustained investment in farmer support programmes.”
“Mr Speaker, these developments confirm that Ghana’s growth in 2025 is broader, stronger, and more resilient than a year ago, anchored in sectors that create jobs, add value, and stimulate inclusive prosperity,” he added.
He further mentioned that Ghana’s economy showed stronger momentum in 2025, with GDP expanding by 6.3 per cent in the first half of the year.
Growth, he said was driven by rising private consumption, prudent fiscal management, and increased exports.
He said total consumption expenditure rose by 6.7 per cent, reflecting renewed household confidence and government efforts to stabilize prices, create jobs, and boost real incomes.
“Mr Speaker, in summary, the expenditure-side growth story of 2025 is one of balance and responsibility: households are spending and thriving again, government is consolidating with discipline, and exports are driving national income. This is the kind of growth that sustains stability, creates jobs, and keeps Ghana firmly on course toward The Ghana We Want.”
Source: GRAPHIC ONLINE
Nov 13, 2025
The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has disclosed that it has requested at least GH¢770 million to effectively address the ongoing food glut being experienced nationwide.
Although the company expects an allocation of GH¢200 million in the 2026 national budget, its Chief Executive Officer, George Abradu-Otoo, describes the amount as “a drop in the ocean.”
Speaking to the media, Mr Abradu-Otoo said the current glut has exposed long-standing funding challenges facing the Buffer Stock Company, which has historically lacked direct financial support to buy excess produce from farmers.
He disclosed that despite the limited funds, the company has deployed its contracted agents to farm gates to purchase surplus food crops for storage in its warehouses.
“Initially, we were given GH¢100 million. The minister wrote to me recently that they have added another GH¢100 million. I hear in the next budget that will be read on Thursday, there’s some GH¢200 million that will come. It’s like a drop in the ocean, but I am happy because this is the first time this is happening,” Mr Abradu-Otoo said.
He added that for many years, no government had ever provided direct funding for Buffer Stock to mop up excess produce.
“This is the beginning. The amount of money I requested is far higher than what they have given us now, but I am steadfast in the comfort that it is a modest beginning,” he stated.
“We are in the field now, and very soon the noise will go down. Initially, we requested GH¢770 million minimally, but so far they have given us GH¢100 million.”
There have been widespread reports of food gluts across key farming areas, with farmers struggling to find ready markets for their produce, leading to significant post-harvest losses.
Source: JoyOnline
