President John Dramani Mahama has outlined an ambitious plan to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector, describing it as the backbone of economic independence and job creation. Speaking at the Independence Day celebration on March 6, 2025, he urged young Ghanaians to embrace agribusiness, emphasizing that increasing local food production is crucial to reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
“With over $2 billion spent annually on food imports, we cannot afford to neglect agriculture. We must grow what we eat, process what we produce, and export more than we import,” Mr. Mahama stated.
To achieve this vision, he announced the launch of the AgriNext Programme, a bold initiative aimed at equipping 30,000 young Ghanaians with land, training, and agribusiness opportunities. This programme seeks to modernise farming and attract more youth into the sector.
As part of his agricultural transformation agenda, Mr. Mahama also revealed plans to establish Farmer Service Centres in every district. These centres will provide mechanised services, quality seeds, fertilisers, and modern equipment to support farmers and boost food production.
“Our farmers need the right support to thrive. These centres will remove obstacles to productivity and improve yields,” he said.
Additionally, he highlighted the need to strengthen local agribusiness to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry, rice, and other staples. He cited the Farm-to-Table Poultry Initiative, which aims to cut Ghana’s 95% reliance on imported poultry by promoting domestic production and processing.
Encouraging young people to see agriculture as a viable business, Mr. Mahama urged them to take advantage of government initiatives designed to make the sector more profitable.
“Farming is no longer a last resort. It is a business that can create wealth and drive national development. It is time to modernise agriculture and build a Ghana that can feed itself,” he stated.
He assured Ghanaians that his administration would continue investing in agriculture, food security, and rural development, arguing that economic transformation cannot happen without a strong agricultural base.
“Our prosperity depends on this. If our forebears achieved so much with so little, we must do even more with the resources available to us today,” Mr. Mahama added.
With these commitments, the government aims to position agriculture as a key driver of national development, ensuring food self-sufficiency and economic growth for Ghana.
Thus good
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