Ghana has called on Chinese investors to join its ambitious agricultural transformation drive. Speaking at the Chinese Lunar New Year Gala 2026 in Accra on Tuesday, March 3, Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, said agriculture is now at the heart of Ghana’s economic reset under President John Dramani Mahama.
He explained that the 2026 Budget positions agriculture as a key engine for industrialisation, export growth, job creation, and foreign exchange stability.
“This year alone, the government is distributing 31,000 metric tonnes of rice seed, 4,388 metric tonnes of maize seed, 2,791 metric tonnes of soybean seed, and 272,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser,” he said, noting that irrigation expansion, development of thousands of hectares of irrigated land, and construction of dams in northern Ghana are helping the country move away from reliance on rain-fed farming.
The Minister highlighted strong opportunities for Chinese companies in irrigation systems, farm mechanisation, agro-processing, machinery assembly, and agro-industrial zones.
A flagship initiative, the Integrated Oil Palm Development Programme (2026–2032), aims to develop 100,000 hectares of plantations, create 250,000 jobs, and cut palm oil imports by US$200 million annually.
Ghana is offering structured land banks and inviting investment in plantations, processing, refining, and export-oriented agriculture.
“We are not seeking aid. We are building joint ventures,” the Minister said, urging investors to move “from trade to production.”
With access to the ECOWAS market of over 400 million people, Ghana is positioning itself as a regional agricultural and industrial hub for West Africa.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
