Ghana Honours Borlaug, Drives Modern Agriculture to Boost Local Production
Ghana's Vice President, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, recently honoured the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug at the Borlaug Dialogue. Meanwhile, the government is driving initiatives to modernise agriculture and empower women and youth, aiming to reduce food imports and boost local production.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang reflected on Borlaug's dedication to eradicating hunger, highlighting his impact on Ghana's agriculture. The government, committed to this cause, is implementing programmes like Feed Ghana to strengthen the sector. Agriculture, central to Ghana's development, employs nearly 40% of Ghanaians.
The Grow24 Programme is transforming agricultural value chains and agro-manufacturing. The government also plans a Women's Development Bank to empower women and youth in farming, reducing inequalities. A new Agricultural Risk Management Strategy targets key commodities like poultry, tomato, and maize in selected regions.
Ghana is moving away from exporting raw materials, leveraging the AfCFTA to produce high-value finished goods. However, food imports still cost the country over USD 2 billion annually, indicating the need for increased local production.
The government's commitment to modernising agriculture and empowering women and youth is clear. By reducing food imports and boosting local production, these initiatives aim to improve food sovereignty and drive national development. The legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug continues to inspire these efforts.
