Richard Ahiagbah has called for urgent attention to Ghana’s agricultural agenda, stressing that delays in executing key components of the Feed Ghana program are denying farmers and the wider economy the expected benefits.
He argued that the initiative, designed to boost food production and support farmers with market access and credit, has yet to reflect meaningful progress on the ground.
A central concern, he noted, is the absence of critical support systems such as buffer stock arrangements and market linkages, particularly for local rice producers facing post-harvest challenges.
According to him, these shortcomings undermine confidence in the administration’s flagship agricultural strategy and limit the sector’s ability to deliver jobs and expand production.
Ahiagbah urged the government to demonstrate a firm commitment to import substitution and domestic capacity building.
“It would be a feather in the president’s cap if we exercised the political will to call the import cartel of rice and promote our local capacity,” he said, arguing that prioritising Ghana-grown rice would not only protect farmers but also strengthen food security.
He added that locally produced rice offers greater nutritional value and health benefits compared to imported varieties.
He maintained that consistent delivery on agricultural reforms would help conserve foreign exchange, stabilise the local currency, create employment and ensure long-term sector growth.
