Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is the Minister of Finance
Government is set to roll out a major agriculture-driven jobs initiative that could create more than 500,000 employment opportunities nationwide, as part of a new strategy to transform the agricultural sector and accelerate inclusive economic growth.
Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the plan during a high-level meeting with Regional Vice President for Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Ethiopis Tafara, held in Washington, D.C.
The talks centered on deepening collaboration between Ghana and the IFC to unlock new investments and technical support for the country’s agricultural transformation agenda.
According to Dr Forson, government is finalizing a comprehensive Oil Palm Plantation Policy, which will be presented in the 2026 Budget, as part of a broader strategy to develop economic crops.
The initiative aims to harness the full potential of these crops to generate large-scale employment along the value chain, from cultivation and processing to manufacturing and exports.
“The opportunities in economic crops are immense. With the right investment and strategic partnerships, Ghana can create over 500,000 jobs across the value chain,” Dr Forson said.
“Agriculture will remain at the heart of our economic transformation agenda,” he added.
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The finance minister emphasized that developing such large-scale plantations requires patient, long-term capital, and that government is working closely with the World Bank, IFC, and other development partners to mobilize financing to support private sector-led growth.
For his part, Ethiopis Tafara reaffirmed the IFC’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development priorities, describing agriculture as a key pathway to harnessing Africa’s demographic dividend and creating sustainable jobs.
The partnership underscores Ghana’s broader vision of achieving economic diversification, industrialization, and inclusive growth through sustainable agriculture.
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