The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, Federation Association of Ghanaian Exporters,Fage, Ghana , Vegetable Exporters and Producers Association, Ghana Rice Inter Professional Body, warmly congratulates His Excellency John Dramani Mahama on his election as the President of the Republic of Ghana. We are optimistic that his leadership will usher in a new era of growth and development for Ghana’s agricultural sector.
As Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, once stated, agriculture has endless potential to feed and transform Ghana’s and Africa’s Agro Industry. We believe that Ghana’s Agriculture revolution requires a new thinking and approach to harness its potential to truly impact our Industrialization drive and achieve the new government’s 24-hour economy agenda.
We commend President Mahama’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s Food systems which aligns with our vision for a vibrant and competitive agricultural sector. We look forward to collaborating with your administration to develop and implement policies that will drive growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses in Ghana.
As a key stakeholder in the agricultural sector, we believe it’s essential to engage with the new administration and provide input on policies and programs that can drive growth and transformation in the sector.
Ghana’s agricultural sector is a critical component of Ghana’s economy, employing approximately 50% of the labor force and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. Therefore, it’s essential for the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana to engage with the new administration and provide input on policies and programs that can drive growth and transformation in the sector.
In order to transform Ghana’s Agro-Industrialization drive, we urge government to prioritize the following key areas to achieve this vision:
Develop a comprehensive agricultural policy framework:
This framework should outline the National vision, goals, and strategies for developing the agricultural Agro Industry sector.
Agricultural Research and Development: Increase investment in agricultural research and development to improve crop and animal productivity, disease resistance, and climate resilience.
Reduce General Food Prices
Take Immediate Steps to Reduce the general cost of Food Prices on in Country through deliberate policies to reduce the cost of Agricultural Inputs, Food Production and to better the lives of the poor citizens
Agricultural Infrastructure Development:
Invest in agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation systems, storage facilities, and transportation networks, to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the sector.
Deliberate Promotion of Agro Industrialization
Aggressively develop and establish robust the of Agro industries to add value to raw agricultural products and increase their competitiveness in local and international markets.
Support smallholder farmers:
Provide training, credit, mechanization and other support services to smallholder farmers to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
Encourage private sector investment:
Create an enabling environment for private sector investment in the agricultural sector, including providing incentives for investment in agricultural infrastructure and agro-processing industries.
Skills Development and Training: Develop and implement skills development and training programs for farmers, agribusinesses, and agricultural extension agents to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
It is the hope of the Chamber that by prioritizing these key areas, Ghana’s agricultural sector can be transformed to drive growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses in Ghana.
The chamber of Agribusiness looks forward to further engagement and subsequently working with the President Elect and his administration to achieve the National vision and create a prosperous and sustainable agricultural and Agro Industry sector in Ghana.
Issued by:
Chief Farmer Davies Korboe
Chairman, National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association of Ghana
Anthony Kofituo Morrison
CEO, Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana.
Bismark Tetteh Owusu Nortey
Executive Director
PEASANT FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA – PFAG
Richmond Frimpong
President, Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists Association
Mr Jacob Adzikah
CEO, Chamber of Aquaculture
Dr Felix Kamasa
President, Ghana Vegetable Producer Association
Mr. John Dziwornu
President, Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF)
Mr Lawrence Amartey
Executive Secretary, Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers
Anthony Botchway
President, National Mango Growers Association.
Mohamed Sulley
President, Butternut Growers Association.
Patrick Ndabiah
President, Coconut Federation
Chief Issahaku Yabyure Jesiwuni
President, Farmers Organisation Network Ghana
Larry Marcus Komi
President, Federation of Young Farmers Ghana
GLIBTA= Ghana Livestock Breeders and Traders Association
GHAFLIP= Ghana Federation of Livestock Inter-Professionals
Ghana Industrial Cassava Stakeholders Platform