The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has urged Ghanaians to pursue full food self-sufficiency as the cornerstone of national independence. Speaking at the launch of the revamped Feed Ghana initiative in Kumasi on June 22, 2025, he stressed that relying on imported staples undermines both the economy and Ghana’s sovereign strength.
Why Food Sovereignty Matters
- Economic Resilience: Local production keeps cedi in circulation, stabilizes prices, and shields farmers from global market shocks.
- National Security: A country that grows its own food is less vulnerable to supply-chain disruptions or export bans.
- Rural Prosperity: When smallholder farmers thrive, communities flourish—creating jobs and fostering grassroots development.
Key Pillars of the Renewed “Feed Ghana” Programme
- Cooperative Formation
• Farmers, especially women and youth, are encouraged to form cooperatives for bulk purchasing and shared equipment.
• Registered groups gain priority access to inputs, mechanization services, and training. - Smart Financing Solutions
• Partnering with banks to roll out low-interest credit lines tailored to crop cycles.
• Introducing a risk-sharing fund to de-risk loans against unforeseeable weather or price fluctuations. - Value-Chain Development
• Targeted support for high-impact commodities—maize, rice, cassava, plantain, tomatoes, and poultry.
• Incentives for private-sector investors to build processing plants and cold-chain logistics. - Technology and Innovation
• Expanding Irrigation hubs and demonstration farms showcasing climate-smart agriculture.
• Digital platforms to connect farmers directly with buyers, reducing middlemen costs.
Roadmap to Self-Reliance
Minister Opoku unveiled a five-year roadmap aiming to:
- Reduce annual grain imports by 70%.
- Double productivity of smallholder plots.
- Increase the number of mechanized farms by 50%.
“Each cedi we save by growing our own rice or chicken is a cedi we reinvest in our people,” he remarked. “When we feed ourselves, we write our own destiny.”
What’s Next for Ghanaian Farmers?
- Register or join a cooperative by August 2025 to qualify for input subsidies.
- Attend district-level “Feed Ghana” workshops on mechanization and best agronomic practices.
- Monitor the Ministry’s website for rolling out of the new agricultural credit facility.
By fortifying local production, Ghana moves closer to genuine freedom—one in which citizens control the food on their tables and the prosperity of their homeland.
Source: https://citinewsroom.com/2025/06/we-must-feed-ourselves-to-be-truly-free-agric-minister/
