Seidu Agongo Proposes Solutions to Reduce Ghana’s $3.5 Billion Food Import Bill

 

Ghana’s agricultural sector has enormous potential, yet the country continues to rely heavily on food imports, costing over $3.5 billion in 2023 alone. Businessman and philanthropist Alhaji Seidu Agongo has outlined practical steps to reverse this trend and make Ghana self-sufficient in food production.

In his analysis of Ghana’s food security situation, Alhaji Agongo highlighted that despite the country’s vast arable land and youthful population, local agricultural production remains weak due to poor policies and unsustainable interventions.

Ghana imports nearly all staple foods, including rice and poultry, largely due to weak agricultural policies. Despite having 40% of its population aged between 15 and 35, agriculture has not become a major source of employment for young people. Alhaji Agongo warned that food insufficiency could become a national security issue if immediate measures are not taken.

While past interventions, such as the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program introduced in 2017, aimed to boost agricultural production, food imports have continued to rise. Nearly GH¢3 billion was invested in the first phase of PFJ between 2017 and 2023, yet the country still faces rising food prices and import dependence.

To address this challenge, Alhaji Agongo outlined several solutions Ghana can adopt to reduce its dependence on food imports:

1. Expanding Local Rice Production

Rice is a staple in Ghana, yet local production meets only 40% of demand. Increasing investment in irrigation, mechanized farming, and improved seed varieties can help boost local rice production. He also called for stronger public-private partnerships to enhance processing and reduce post-harvest losses.

2. Developing the Poultry Industry

Ghana imports 95% of its poultry meat, costing nearly $400 million annually. Investments in modern poultry farms, feed production, and processing facilities will be key to increasing local production. Providing smallholder poultry farmers with access to finance and technical training can also help strengthen the industry.

3. Expanding Livestock Farming and Meat Processing

Ghana imported $210 million worth of meat and offal in 2023. To reduce reliance on imports, the country needs investments in cattle, sheep, and pig farming alongside meat processing facilities.

4. Boosting Agro-Processing and Value Addition

The underdevelopment of Ghana’s food processing industry has led to increased importation of processed foods. Investing in agro-processing infrastructure will enable local entrepreneurs to add value to crops such as cassava, maize, and soybeans, reducing the need for imports.

5. Investing in Irrigation and Water Management

With only 11,000 hectares of farmland under irrigation, Ghana must expand water management projects to support year-round farming. Modern irrigation techniques like drip irrigation and solar-powered water pumps can help improve agricultural productivity.

6. Encouraging Youth Participation in Agriculture

With 67% of the population aged between 15 and 64, Ghana has a strong workforce that can drive agricultural growth. Providing training, financial support, and access to modern farming technology can make agriculture more attractive to young people. AgriTech startups can also introduce innovative solutions to improve food production.

Alhaji Seidu Agongo believes Ghana has the potential to become food self-sufficient by investing in its agricultural sector. Reducing food imports will not only save foreign exchange but also create jobs, stabilize food prices, and boost economic growth.

By focusing on irrigation, mechanization, livestock farming, and agro-processing, Ghana can position itself as a leader in agricultural production and food security. The time to act is now to ensure a sustainable and self-reliant food system for future generations.