Agriculture Ministry renamed
President-elect John Mahama of Ghana has unveiled plans for a major transformation of the country’s agricultural sector, including a renaming of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to the Ministry of Food and Agribusiness. The rebranding reflects a strategic shift toward modernizing agriculture with a focus on value addition and agro-processing to address food security challenges.
In a statement, Mahama emphasized the need to integrate technological advancements into agriculture. He highlighted the untapped potential of Ghana’s agribusiness sector, advocating for a move beyond providing farmers with basic inputs to fostering opportunities for processing and adding value to agricultural products.
The revamped ministry will prioritize the establishment of agro-processing factories to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the value of exports. Mahama stressed the importance of empowering young entrepreneurs in the sector, aiming to strengthen connections between local producers and international markets.
One key area of focus is the cashew industry. Mahama proposed that Ghana process and brand its cashews domestically, instead of exporting raw cashews to countries like India for processing. This would shorten the value chain, create local jobs, and boost agricultural exports, ensuring that more economic benefits stay within Ghana.
With these changes, Mahama aims to create a more sustainable, modern agricultural sector, promoting growth, job creation, and food security for Ghana’s future.
