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President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana’s strategy for building a robust vegetable sector will be firmly rooted in scaling up local production, moving the nation towards greater food security and self-sufficiency.
The President made the announcement on Thursday at the official launch of the Vegetable Development Project in Kukuom, in the Ahafo Region.
“We aim to build a competitive and sustainable vegetable industry anchored firmly on our own domestic production,” President Mahama stated, outlining a clear vision for reducing the nation’s reliance on vegetable imports.
The newly launched project is a comprehensive initiative designed to significantly increase Ghana’s output of key staple vegetables: tomatoes, onions, and peppers. This will be achieved through the use of improved seed varieties and enhanced support for farmers.
President Mahama detailed that the project will provide farmers with critical resources including improved seeds, organic fertilizers, agronomic training, and digital advisory services.
He confirmed that farmers involved in the initial phase have already begun receiving these inputs, which are essential for producing high-quality, competitive vegetables.
Beyond boosting agricultural output, the project is positioned as a significant driver of employment. The President emphasised its potential to create dignified and predictable jobs, particularly for the youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
While the initiative is set to establish the Ahafo Region as a major hub for the national vegetable supply chain, President Mahama revealed plans for a wider rollout.
“The project will also be replicated in many other parts of the country, especially in the north due to the severe water crisis there,” he said, indicating a strategic focus on areas where agricultural intervention is most needed.
The government believes that by strengthening the entire vegetable value chain—from seed to market—the project will not only improve the livelihoods of farmers but also make a substantial contribution to Ghana’s broader economic development.
The launch event was attended by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, along with other government officials, agricultural stakeholders, and local farmers, underscoring a collaborative national effort to transform the country’s agricultural sector.
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