The Minister of Agriculture has stated that the government is determined to address all of the sector's main challenges.
Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, has decried the plight of the majority of farmers across the nation, stating that despite their arduous efforts to sustain the nation, they receive very little compensation.
For this reason, the minister stated that his organization is taking a comprehensive look at the agricultural sector in order to resolve its most pressing issues.
The minister stated at a workshop on the creation of an African Cocoa Exchange in Accra on 21 June 2023, which was organized by the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), of which Ghana is a member, that agriculture in the country must be modernized to improve the lives of farmers.
We are on the path to a modern, prosperous economy led by the private sector. We believe it is impossible for poor farmers to continue to sustain the wealthy. Therefore, we must alter the trajectory of agriculture to ensure that our output meets Ghanaians' demands.
Acheampong stated that the Ghanaian government has initiated programs and interventions aimed at every agricultural subsector.
"This is geared toward achieving what we refer to as the new Ghana Agriculture, which will be accomplished through digitalization-enhanced productivity, accelerated access to government services, and an improvement in the ease of doing business."
Most impoverished are rural producers. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 54% of Ghana's working population was employed in agriculture in 2013. Agriculture accounts for 90.1% of rural employment, compared to the national average of 76.2% in rural areas.
"The design of these programs comprehensively addresses the challenges of each subsector, thereby progressively removing the bottlenecks that have previously impeded agricultural growth and development," he added.
In the sector of food crops, the minister stated that the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative created the most direct path to assist farmers in increasing the productivity of staple food crop production. As a result of increased access to subsidised fertilisers, certified seeds, and intensive agricultural extension, he explained, the production of all main staples in this country has increased.
The minister also disclosed that the total installed processing capacity in the cocoa sector has increased to 514,000, which is greater than fifty percent of the national output. The average annual export value of secondary products is currently $800 million.
In the meantime, the government has pledged its complete backing to Ghana's efforts to establish an African Cocoa Exchange.
"I can assure all interested parties that the government is willing to commit the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Ghana Commodity Exchange to this process, and that we will continue to support the ICCO on all matters of mutual interest."
The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) is championing the establishment of an African Cocoa Exchange.
This action is part of an endeavor to improve cocoa prices for farmers and the cocoa value chain.
Reporting from Accra by Nana Oye Ankrah
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