Agriculture is Ghana’s path to economic independence - Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector, describing it as the backbone of economic independence and job creation.

He urged young Ghanaians to embrace agribusiness, stressing that boosting local food production is crucial to reducing the country’s reliance on imports.

Speaking at the Independence Day celebration on March 6, 2025, Mr Mahama said agriculture presents Ghana’s greatest opportunity for self-sufficiency.

“With over $2 billion spent annually on food imports, we cannot afford to neglect agriculture. We must grow what we eat, process what we produce, and export more than we import,” he stated.

To achieve this, he announced that his administration’s AgriNext Programme will equip 30,000 young Ghanaians with land, training, and agribusiness opportunities. The initiative aims to modernise farming and attract more youth into the sector.

Mr Mahama also revealed plans to establish Farmer Service Centres in every district, providing farmers with mechanised services, quality seeds, fertilisers, and modern equipment to boost food production.

“Our farmers need the right support to thrive. These centres will remove obstacles to productivity and improve yields,” he said.

He further noted that strengthening local agribusiness is necessary to cut Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry, rice, and other staples.

He cited the Farm-to-Table Poultry Initiative, which seeks to reduce Ghana’s 95% reliance on imported poultry by promoting domestic production and processing.

Mr Mahama called on young people to see agriculture as a viable business and take advantage of government initiatives aimed at making the sector profitable.

“Farming is no longer a last resort, it is a business that can create wealth and drive national development. It is time to modernise agriculture and build a Ghana that can feed itself,” he said.

He assured Ghanaians that his administration would continue investing in agriculture, food security, and rural development, arguing that economic transformation cannot happen without a strong agricultural base.

“Our prosperity depends on this. If our forebears achieved so much with so little, we must do even more with the resources available to us today,” Mr Mahama added.