Veep outlines Ghana’s agricultural vision under 24-Hour Economy policy

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has underscored Ghana’s determination to transform agriculture through President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy vision.

She has called for innovation, inclusion, and strategic investment to achieve food security in Africa and transform the continent into a net exporter of food.

Sharing insights from the recent ‘Norman E Borlaug International Dialogue’ in the US on her X page, she reaffirmed that agriculture remains central to Ghana’s development agenda.

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“Nearly two out of every five Ghanaians work in agriculture, but the sector faces persistent challenges. Ghana spends more than USD 2 billion annually importing food we have the climate and capacity to produce. This must change.

“His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama’s bold vision for agricultural transformation is centered on the Feed Ghana Programme, which is a coordinated, market-driven initiative spanning 22 commodity value chains, including grains & legumes, vegetables, starchy staples, tree crops and livestock. It is designed to tackle systemic weaknesses in irrigation, storage and processing, digital integration, cooperative development and market access,” she wrote.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang also touched on the Grow24 Programme, a key component of the 24-hour economy policy.

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“As part of the 24-Hour Economy, Grow24 seeks to modernize agriculture and value chains, support agro-manufacturing, and drive export-ready agribusiness. Ghana is also implementing a five-year Agricultural Risk Management Strategy focusing on poultry, tomatoes and maize in selected regions”, she noted.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted that women make up more than half of Ghana’s agricultural workforce yet face barriers to land, credit, technology, and training.

“Our Women’s Development Bank will help correct these inequities,” she assured, adding that investments in youth-led agritech, mechanisation services, and digital market platforms are also underway”, she stated.

The vice president further emphasised that Ghana is shifting from exporting raw materials to producing finished goods that capture real value.

“With AfCFTA headquartered in Accra, we are positioned to build regional value chains, scale agro-exports, and empower youth and women across borders,” she added.

The 24-Hour Economy policy is the government’s flagship programme. It is expected to create jobs and employment opportunities for Ghanaians.

See her post below:

JKB/EB

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