The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, restated the nation’s unwavering commitment to achieving food self-sufficiency and strengthening global partnerships in sustainable agriculture.
Mr. Opoku stressed the country’s strong resolve to promote self-reliance in food production and agricultural transformation.
He said this during his participation in the 2025 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, held in connection with the World Food Prize in Des Moines, Iowa, United States.
The minister took part in the global forum, which brought together world leaders, policymakers, scientists, farmers, and industry experts to discuss strategies for achieving global food security.
The 2025 edition of the Dialogue, themed “SOILutions for Security,” focused on the vital role of soil health and sustainable agricultural practices in building resilient food systems amid the growing threat of climate change.
Mr. Opoku featured prominently in a high-level panel discussion titled “From Policy to Progress: A Diplomatic Legacy.”
He underscored that agriculture remained the backbone of ‘Ghana’s economy and a key driver of employment, value addition, and export growth.’
He touted President John Dramani Mahama’s visionary leadership that has seen the successful implementation of flagship initiatives such as the ‘Feed Ghana Programme and the 24-Hour Economy Policy to boost productivity, modernize agriculture, and create sustainable jobs for the youth.’
“Ghana is deeply committed to transforming its agricultural sector into a globally competitive and sustainable one. We are building a resilient food system that guarantees self-sufficiency while contributing to global food security,” Mr. Opoku stated.
He further called for deeper international collaboration and private sector participation in agricultural development, and emphasized that Ghana’s doors remained open for strategic partnerships in key areas such as soil science, post-harvest loss reduction, and value addition to major export crops including cocoa, shea nuts, and cashew.
“We believe strong partnerships are essential to improving farmers’ incomes, enhancing productivity, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our agricultural value chains.
“Food security is the foundation of global peace. Ghana stands ready to collaborate with partners worldwide to build a resilient agricultural future that benefits all,” he added.
The Ghanaian delegation to the Dialogue included Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Smith, and Chief of Staff, Alex Segbefia.
Ghana’s participation at the Dialogue positioned them as a proactive contributor to global food security efforts, underscoring the government’s commitment to using agriculture as a tool for economic empowerment, social development, and peacebuilding.
Source: Felix Oppong Kyeremeh
