At a joint press briefing in Accra, Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, announced the official signing of an agreement with ARB Apex Bank for the management of a $1 million revolving fund under the Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Project.
The deal, supported by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), represents what government officials describe as a decisive intervention in addressing food insecurity and poverty in northern Ghana.
“Our heartfelt appreciation to GAFSP for the generous $20,000,000 grant aimed at building resilience for food and nutrition in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone”
Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture
President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has prioritized agricultural resilience in rural areas, especially among women and youth.
The project, which is being implemented in “twelve districts across the five northern regions and the Oti Region,” is designed to deliver focused and measurable outcomes by scaling up tested agricultural solutions.
According to Minister Opoku, the revolving fund is part of a broader $20 million GAFSP grant focused on the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone.
The initiative draws lessons from the Savannah Investment Program (SIP) and integrates “climate-smart agricultural technologies” with accessible financing for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) also received praise for its technical support during the design and mobilization of the facility. Government officials believe the current strategy will achieve “sustainable, inclusive impact across participating regions.”
Resilience Package
The project’s interventions include access to climate-smart agricultural inputs for staple crops such as maize, rice, soybean, cowpea, and groundnut.
In addition, it provides handheld agricultural equipment, solar-powered micro-irrigation kits for dry-season vegetable production, and promotes household poultry farming for nutritional access.
“The ultimate objective of this project is to increase farmer incomes and support household nutrition, particularly among women-headed households through a well-integrated package of interventions”
Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Also integral to the plan is the revolving fund signed into effect at the briefing.
“This $1,000,000 revolving fund will improve access to affordable, low-interest financial services for value chain actors involved in production and product development”
Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Financial Access
According to the minister, ARB Apex Bank was selected due to its vast “network of rural and community banks operating within the project’s targeted districts.” The Minister emphasized the importance of decentralizing access to credit and placing funds in the hands of the most vulnerable.
“Today’s signing of the fund management agreement with ARB Apex Bank marks a pivotal milestone in the implementation of this project”
Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Hon. Opoku explained that the fund will especially support “women-led” agricultural groups cultivating crops such as “soybean, cowpea, and groundnut.” It is also expected to benefit micro-enterprises and agribusinesses seeking capital to expand.
“I am especially pleased that this revolving fund has been designed with an interest rate of just 10% and a flexible repayment schedule, making it truly accessible to those who need it most”
Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Call for Accountability
While the agreement is a critical milestone, Hon. Opoku issued a cautionary note to the project’s implementing bodies, urging discipline, transparency, and effective administration.
“The true impact of this fund will depend on how effectively and responsibly it is managed and disbursed,” he explained.
He also emphasized that the success of the initiative would not be measured by promises, but by “visible improvements in farmer livelihoods and food systems.”
The Minister concluded with thanks to the GAFSP Secretariat, the African Development Bank, and other development partners.
He called on all stakeholders to work collectively in transforming Ghana’s agriculture sector under the leadership of President Mahama. “Let us continue to work hand in hand to transform Ghana’s agricultural landscape for the better.”
