2025 SONA: Mahama’s Agriculture Policies will Boost Ghana’s Food Security – Dr. Jasaw
Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Member of Parliament for Wa East, has lauded President John Mahama for introducing strategic policies aimed at enhancing Ghana’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors.
In an interview with ExpressNewsGhana on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Dr. Jasaw expressed his strong support for the President’s vision, especially regarding the Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda.
“I think there are some undisputable facts about the macroeconomy as inherited by His Excellency President Mahama,” Dr. Jasaw said, while thanking him for fulfilling his constitutional obligation in appearing before the House under Article 67 to give a message on the state of the nation, I’d like to ask a few fundamental questions.
Dr. Jasaw pointed to the significant challenges President Mahama inherited upon taking office on January 7, 2025, such as a national debt of 721 billion Ghana cedis and an exchange rate of one USD to 15.87 Ghana cedis, up from one USD to 4.2 cedis in 2017. He also criticized the handling of energy sector debt, which stood at 68 billion Ghana cedis, and the cocoa sector debt of 32.5 billion Ghana cedis under the previous administration.
“President Mahama inherited a nation burdened with substantial economic challenges, yet he focused on offering hope and solutions for the future,” Dr. Jasaw noted. “In his state of the nation address, he emphasized key sectors, especially agriculture, which is crucial for transforming the nation’s economy.”
Dr. Jasaw specifically addressed the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs program, which received 3 billion Ghana cedis in funding over eight years but failed to resolve the country’s food price inflation issues. “Food price inflation is the leading contributor to national inflation,” he remarked, pointing out that despite the significant investment, inflation remains high at approximately 23.1%.
Reflecting on the impact of climate change on food production, Dr. Jasaw said, “Last year, we faced seven weeks of drought across eight regions in the north, which disrupted food production. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture had to scramble to import food, highlighting the lack of sufficient food reserves.”
In response to these challenges, President Mahama launched the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, which includes initiatives to improve food security and reduce the country’s food import bill, which amounts to approximately two billion dollars annually. Dr. Jasaw praised the Feed Ghana Program, noting its transformative potential. “This program focuses on a grains development program, horticultural crop development, and creating value through food production, processing, and trade. It will create jobs, industrialize the sector, and reduce reliance on food imports.”
He emphasized the importance of research and innovation, particularly through the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), which has been developing improved seed varieties. “The President has wisely placed the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Agriculture, ensuring that agricultural research outputs are translated into practical, actionable solutions for food production,” Dr. Jasaw said.
Dr. Jasaw also highlighted the Feed Industry Program, which focuses on crops tailored to industrial needs, such as sugarcane, soya beans, and palm oil. He expressed confidence that this program will not only reduce Ghana’s food import bill but will also create sustainable jobs. “This initiative will enhance food availability and create new opportunities in agriculture,” he noted.
The Farmer Services Center initiative, designed to provide small-scale farmers with access to essential machinery, seeds, and fertilizers, was another key element of the President’s agricultural vision. “These services are crucial for farmers, particularly in my constituency,” Dr. Jasaw stressed. “The Farmer Services Centers will bridge the gap and help small-scale farmers access the necessary resources to improve their productivity.”
Dr. Jasaw also applauded the Akoko Nketekete initiative, which aims to provide day-old poultry to 55,000 households this year, particularly women, to improve nutrition security and reduce dependence on imported eggs. “This initiative will help improve food security and lower the food import bill,” he stated.
Additionally, Dr. Jasaw referenced the Irrigation for Wealth program, launched by the Minister of Agriculture, which seeks to expand irrigation facilities and provide education on water management. “Irrigation is vital in addressing the unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by climate change. Expanding irrigation and educating farmers on how to effectively use water resources will significantly enhance food production,” he explained.
Dr. Jasaw called on the business community to seize the opportunities presented by these initiatives. “Now is the time for the agri-sector,” he urged. “Local investments are essential, as they ensure the wealth generated stays within the country. There are attractive programs and a favourable tax regime for those willing to invest in agriculture.”
He expressed his optimism for the future of Ghana’s agriculture sector. “With these transformative policies in place, I am confident that by 2028, the landscape of Ghana’s agricultural sector will be vastly improved,” he said.
Source: Felix Nyaaba//ExpressNewsGhana
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