Ghana is embarking on a new era of agricultural transformation, prioritizing strategic partnerships to bolster its food security, value addition, and innovation within the sector. John Setor Dumelo, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wougon, articulated this vision during the opening ceremony of the Ghana-China Business Summit held in Accra. This summit, a platform for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from both nations, aims to foster trade and explore investment opportunities. Mr. Dumelo emphasized the John Dramani Mahama-led NDC government’s commitment to achieving food self-sufficiency, developing value-added agricultural products, and embracing innovation. He stressed that international collaborations, particularly with countries like China, will be pivotal in realizing these objectives.
The core of Ghana’s agricultural strategy revolves around ensuring food security for its citizens and industries, with a focus on generating surplus for export after local demands are met. Mr. Dumelo underscored the importance of adding value to agricultural products before they enter the international market, maximizing their economic potential. He acknowledged Ghana’s abundant agricultural land resources but emphasized the need for heightened efficiency and the adoption of innovative practices to optimize output and meet both domestic and industrial requirements. He extended an open invitation to both China and the wider international community to partner with Ghana in revitalizing its agricultural sector.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the critical role of technology transfer and optimized land utilization in driving Ghana’s agricultural progress. He envisions partnerships that facilitate the transfer of advanced agricultural technologies and best practices from China to Ghana, empowering local farmers and boosting productivity. Improved land use practices are equally crucial, ensuring sustainable and efficient agricultural production while minimizing environmental impact. The Ghana-China Business Summit serves as a platform to explore these potential collaborations and pave the way for a mutually beneficial partnership.
This renewed focus on strategic agricultural partnerships signifies a commitment to modernizing Ghana’s agricultural sector. By leveraging international expertise and technology, the government aims to move beyond subsistence farming and embrace commercially viable, value-added agricultural production. This approach not only addresses food security concerns but also positions agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and development. The collaboration with China, a global agricultural powerhouse, holds significant promise for accelerating this transformation.
The five-day Ghana-China Business Summit is expected to deepen economic cooperation and enhance bilateral relations between the two countries. The summit provides a forum for discussions on various aspects of agricultural collaboration, including investment opportunities, technology transfer, and capacity building. This dialogue will help to identify specific areas of cooperation and develop concrete action plans for implementation. The summit underscores the growing importance of international partnerships in addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable development.
Beyond the immediate focus on agricultural cooperation, the summit is also expected to strengthen broader economic ties between Ghana and China. The exchange of ideas and perspectives between business leaders and policymakers from both countries can lead to the identification of new avenues for trade and investment. This strengthened relationship can contribute to both countries’ economic growth and foster greater understanding and collaboration on a broader range of issues. The summit represents a significant step towards building a stronger and more mutually beneficial partnership between Ghana and China.
