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The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has reiterated the government’s strong commitment to expanding agricultural processing as part of efforts to reduce food imports, create jobs, and stabilise the Ghanaian cedi. Speaking at the 2025 World Food Prize (WFP) event in Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. Opoku noted that Ghana remains the second-largest producer of cassava in the world, a position that provides a strong foundation for agro-industrial growth. “Facts and records show that Ghana is the second-largest producer of cassava globally, and that’s something we can be proud of,” he said. “Our goal is to add value to our raw materials because when you consider our production levels, our farmers shouldn’t be poor. The problem is that we export raw materials and import finished goods at higher prices.” The Minister explained that the government is implementing several initiatives to support small- and medium-scale processors with financial and technical assistance. These include the BRIDGE Initiative, a collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, which provides low-interest loans, credit guarantees, and insurance packages to help agribusinesses transition “from potential to profitability.” He further highlighted that under the Feed Ghana Programme, the government is pursuing targeted agricultural policies to boost food production, empower women, and promote local processing. “Women make up about 52 percent of Ghana’s agricultural labour force, with many of them involved in food processing. By investing in agro-processing, we are not only empowering women but also strengthening food security and reducing our import bill,” he added. Mr. Opoku disclosed that Ghana spends approximately US$350 million annually on sugar imports, a situation the government is determined to reverse through the local cultivation and processing of sugarcane and stevia. “We are investing in sugarcane farming and domestic sugar production to ease pressure on our currency and create a sustainable exchange regime that supports business growth,” he stated. He revealed that a sugar processing factory has already been established in Ghana, with efforts underway to operationalise it soon following renewed commitment from the President. On irrigation, the Minister said the government is expanding irrigation infrastructure to promote year-round farming and ensure a steady supply of raw materials for processing industries. Touching on the menace of illegal mining, Mr. Opoku lamented its devastating impact on the environment and called for a shift toward sustainable resource use. “Ghana is blessed with gold, but illegal mining is destroying our environment. We must balance resource exploitation with sustainability,” he urged. The Minister also appealed to both local and foreign investors to show greater confidence in Ghana’s agribusiness sector, assuring them of a conducive policy environment that supports investment and growth. “Entrepreneurship involves risk management. As policymakers, we are committed to delivering results within our mandate, and we expect our partners in the private sector to share that urgency and work with us to make these projects a reality,” he said. Mr. Opoku concluded that agro-processing is central to Ghana’s economic transformation, as it holds the potential to create jobs, ensure food self-sufficiency, and stabilise foreign exchange. “The future of Ghana’s economy lies in agro-industrialisation. We invite all partners to join us in advancing this agenda for national development,” he affirmed.
