Eric Opoku
The Government has launched the AgriConnect Compact, an ambitious national framework aimed at improving food security for nearly three million people and creating more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035 through increased investment and transformation of the agricultural sector.
Developed with support from the World Bank Group and development partners, the Compact seeks to strengthen domestic food production, reduce food imports, and mobilise investment across key agricultural value chains.
The initiative’s first phase, covering the period from 2026 to 2030, is expected to improve food and nutrition security for an estimated 2.99 million people. Financing requirements for the phase are projected at about US$3.5 billion, with funding expected from the Government of Ghana, development partners, and the private sector.
The Compact prioritises strategic commodities including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry, while also supporting sectors such as cashew, coconut, rubber, fisheries, and the forest economy.
Under the framework, government and private sector actors will work together to raise agricultural productivity, expand value addition, improve access to markets and finance, and strengthen resilience across the nation’s agri-food system.
The programme focuses on critical areas such as irrigation development, improved seed systems, mechanisation, farmer support services, agro-processing, and logistics, with the goal of ensuring that more food is produced, processed, and marketed within the country.
Speaking at the launch, World Bank Group Vice President for Planet, Guangzhe Chen, described the Compact as a major step towards building a productive and resilient food system capable of generating employment and attracting private investment.
“Ghana’s AgriConnect Compact is a bold step toward building a more productive, resilient, and jobs-rich food system. By linking policy reform with investment and delivery, Ghana is creating the conditions to strengthen food security, support farmers and agribusinesses, and unlock private capital at scale,” he said.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, said the initiative would help translate the country’s agricultural potential into measurable economic gains while creating opportunities for young people.
“AgriConnect is about turning Ghana’s agricultural potential into tangible results: more food on the table, more jobs for young people, and more value created here at home. This Compact provides a clear roadmap to modernise agriculture, support farmers, and build stronger value chains that can drive growth nationwide,” he stated.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the Compact.
“The Government of Ghana remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to translate the aspirations of this AgriConnect Compact into tangible results for our people. This is Ghana’s moment to feed itself, employ its youth, build competitive industries, and create wealth from its own soil,” he said.
A Business Desk Report