Ghana Prioritizing Agro-Processing to Boost Jobs and Cut Food Imports — Agric Minister Eric Opoku Tells Global Media

Ghana Prioritizing Agro-Processing to Boost Jobs and Cut Food Imports — Agric Minister Eric Opoku Tells Global Media

Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has reiterated government’s commitment to expanding agro-processing as a key driver of job creation, economic stability, and reduced dependence on food imports.

Speaking to international journalists at the 2025 World Food Prize event in Des Moines, Iowa, Hon. Opoku said Ghana is determined to transform its agricultural sector by adding value to raw materials rather than exporting them unprocessed.

“Ghana is the world’s second-largest producer of cassava, and that’s something we’re proud of,” the minister said. “Our focus now is on value addition. When we process what we grow, our farmers benefit more, our economy grows stronger, and we stop buying back what we already produce.”

He noted that government initiatives such as the BRIDGE Initiative, a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, are supporting small and medium agro-processors with low-interest loans, credit guarantees, and insurance packages to help turn “potential into profitability.”

Under the Feed Ghana Program, Hon. Opoku said policies are being rolled out to boost food production, empower women, and promote local processing.

“Women make up about 52% of Ghana’s agricultural labor force, and most are engaged in food processing. By investing in agro-processing, we are empowering women, improving food security, and cutting down on our import bill,” he explained.

The minister disclosed that Ghana currently spends about US$350 million annually on sugar imports. However, the government is now investing in the cultivation of sugarcane and stevia to strengthen local sugar production and ease pressure on the cedi.

“We’ve already established a sugar processing factory in Ghana, and plans are advanced to operationalize it soon with renewed presidential commitment,” he revealed.

Hon. Opoku added that government is expanding irrigation infrastructure to support all-year-round farming and guarantee consistent raw material supply for processing industries.

He also addressed the environmental impact of illegal mining, describing it as a major threat to sustainable agriculture.

“Nature has blessed Ghana with gold, but illegal mining is destroying our environment. We must balance natural resource use with sustainability,” he emphasized.

Calling on investors to show greater confidence in Ghana’s agribusiness sector, the minister assured that government is committed to creating a stable and supportive environment for investment.

“Entrepreneurship involves risk, but government is ready to do its part. We expect our partners in the private sector to share our urgency and work with us to actualize these projects,” he said.

Hon. Opoku concluded by stating that agro-processing remains the key to Ghana’s economic transformation, job creation, and foreign exchange stability, urging both local and international investors to support the country’s drive toward industrial agriculture.

Source:Bibianinews.com