The civil society organisation Arise Ghana has called for legislation to support agricultural reforms being implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The group argued that giving the reforms a legal foundation would help preserve successful programmes and strengthen their contribution to Ghana’s food security.

Speaking at a media engagement on the state of the agricultural sector, a leading member of the group, Selorm Dramani Dzramado, urged the government to institutionalise key agricultural initiatives. He explained that consistent legal and institutional support was necessary to ensure that effective programmes continued beyond changes in political leadership.

The group’s assessment focused on the direction of current agricultural policy and its potential impact on farmers, consumers and the wider economy. According to Mr Dzramado, the approach under the leadership of the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, had introduced measures capable of supporting structural transformation in the sector.

Analysing the policy framework, the leading member identified crop production as one of the major areas receiving attention. The programme covers grains and cereals such as maize, rice, soya beans and sorghum alongside vegetables including tomato, pepper, onion and cassava.

Greenhouse farming is part of the policy direction being examined by the organisation. The initiative is intended to increase domestic production while helping Ghana reduce its dependence on imported food products.

The emphasis is on strengthening the position of smallholder farmers within the agricultural economy. Mr Dzramado explained that empowering farmers with the necessary support could improve their businesses while contributing to sustainable food security.

“We believe that more must be done to institutionalize these reforms beyond individual political leadership.”
Selorm Dramani Dzramado

The call for legislation stems from the group’s assessment of previous agricultural interventions across different administrations. From its perspective, several programmes have faced difficulties with continuity, evaluation and long term financing when political administrations change.

Consequently, Arise Ghana wants current reforms to be supported by institutional systems that can provide continuity. The organisation also urged the authorities to establish reliable financing arrangements and measurable indicators to track the performance of major agricultural programmes.

The assessment further placed attention on the leadership of Eric Opoku at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Mr Dzramado acknowledged what the group viewed as deliberate policy action while urging the ministry to build systems capable of sustaining the progress recorded.

The policy agenda is therefore being presented as a foundation that requires stronger structures to deliver lasting results. For Arise Ghana, legislation would provide an additional layer of stability while allowing agricultural programmes to survive changes in government.

The organisation also linked agricultural transformation to the wider economic fortunes of the country. Stronger domestic production could improve food availability while creating opportunities for farmers and businesses operating along the agricultural value chain.

The group’s position also places importance on assessing government programmes through measurable outcomes. Such an approach would enable citizens and stakeholders to determine whether public resources devoted to agriculture are producing the intended benefits.

The call for institutionalisation consequently forms a central part of the organisation’s recommendations. Arise Ghana believes successful agricultural interventions should become part of durable national systems that can operate beyond individual ministers or political administrations.

Agricultural Reform Plan Puts Farmers, Financing And Markets Forward

Arise Ghana also proposed a series of measures aimed at strengthening implementation across Ghana’s agricultural sector. The recommendations focus on accountability, farmer support, infrastructure, financing and market access.

A key proposal is the publication of measurable annual targets for major agricultural programmes. The organisation believes clear targets would give citizens, farmers and policymakers a practical basis for assessing implementation and results.

Public monitoring also features prominently in the recommendations. Mr Dzramado called for transparent systems through which citizens could follow the progress of agricultural programmes and assess their outcomes.

Farmer identification has emerged as another area requiring attention. The group recommended stronger farmer databases to reduce the risk of ghost beneficiaries and ensure that assistance reaches the intended recipients.

Irrigation infrastructure also received emphasis because reliable water supply remains important to agricultural production throughout the year. Arise Ghana urged the ministry to expand irrigation facilities while establishing clear arrangements for their maintenance.

Financing represents another major part of the proposed reforms. The organisation called for improved access to affordable agricultural finance, particularly for smallholder farmers and young entrepreneurs seeking to establish or expand agribusinesses.

Agricultural extension services were also identified as essential to improving productivity. The group recommended stronger logistics for extension officers so they can provide farmers with technical guidance and practical support.

Marketing remains another area requiring policy attention. According to the recommendations, stronger agricultural marketing systems could give farmers more dependable access to profitable markets and improve their ability to benefit from increased production.

Storage and agro processing were also highlighted as important components of the sector’s development. Greater investment in these areas could help reduce post harvest losses while creating additional opportunities for value addition.

The organisation further urged policymakers to give women and young people a stronger role in agricultural policy development. Their participation, it argued, could bring additional perspectives to decisions affecting production, employment and the future of the sector.

The recommendations ultimately seek to connect policy decisions with measurable improvements across the agricultural value chain. Therefore, the organisation wants implementation to be supported by systems that make progress easier to track and sustain.

Beyond the immediate policy agenda, the proposals place responsibility on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to strengthen coordination across the sector. The group expects clear targets, effective monitoring and stronger institutional arrangements to improve confidence in agricultural programmes.

The call also highlights the need for agricultural reforms to produce benefits that reach beyond individual programmes. From the group’s perspective, sustained investment in farmers, infrastructure and markets can help establish a more resilient agricultural economy.

Mr Dzramado accordingly urged the ministry to give serious consideration to the recommendations as it advances its reform agenda. He indicated that institutional support, reliable financing and measurable performance would be crucial to ensuring that current agricultural initiatives deliver lasting national benefits.