Ghana's Agric Ambitions: A Cycle of Unkept Promises

Story by Fada Amakye

The brutal ambush of Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso, leaving seven dead, exposes the country’s failure to deliver on agricultural promises. The traders were on a routine trip to buy tomatoes and other foodstuffs, highlighting Ghana’s struggles with food security. This incident is a stark reminder of the country’s reliance on imports and the need for sustainable agricultural practices.

Successive governments have launched initiatives like One Village, One Dam, Planting for Food and Jobs, and the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam, but these have largely failed to yield results. The projects were touted as game-changers, but poor execution and lack of focus on irrigation and value chains have left Ghana vulnerable to seasonal shortages. The One Village, One Dam project, for instance, was meant to provide irrigation and water solutions, but many of the dams have turned out to be dugouts, incapable of supporting farming.

The tragedy underscores the need for climate-resilient irrigation systems, commercial agriculture, and private-sector driven growth. Ghana must audit abandoned projects, revive or reprogram underperforming initiatives, and prioritize food security as a national priority. The country has the capacity, land, and people to achieve food security, but it requires effective implementation and accountability.

The incident has sparked calls for action, with former President John Mahama expressing his intention to prioritize agricultural development if re-elected. The focus should be on empowering commercial farmers, agri-processors, and investors, rather than solely relying on government-run programs. Ghana needs to create an environment that supports sustainable agriculture, and it’s time for the country to take a hard look at its agricultural policies and make necessary changes.