The government has released 85 percent of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s approved 2026 budget as part of efforts to strengthen food production, improve food security and accelerate agricultural transformation across the country.
Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, disclosed the development at the launch of the Ghana National Pact for Agriculture and Economic Transformation, Food Security and Employment (AGRICONNECT Compact) in Accra.
According to him, the Ministry of Finance has disbursed GH¢1.677 billion to support critical agricultural interventions aimed at boosting productivity, expanding value chains and creating employment opportunities.
“I am pleased to confirm that we have released GH¢1.677 billion, representing 85 percent of the approved 2026 Budget for Goods and Services and CAPEX for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,” Mr. Ampem announced.
Major Investments Target Productivity and Mechanisation
The Deputy Finance Minister explained that a significant portion of the funds has been directed toward projects designed to modernise agriculture and increase output.
He revealed that GH¢581.4 million has been allocated for the establishment of 50 Farmer Service Centres across the country to improve access to mechanisation services and enhance farm productivity.
In addition, GH¢110 million has been earmarked for irrigation infrastructure projects, while GH¢515.3 million will support the distribution of fertilisers and certified seeds to farmers.
Government is also investing GH¢244.9 million in the Poultry Farm-to-Table Project, popularly known as Nkoko Nkitinkiti, to strengthen domestic poultry production and reduce dependence on imports.
Another GH¢200 million has been channelled through the National Food Buffer Stock Company to improve produce distribution, storage and market access.
Agriculture at the Centre of Economic Transformation
Mr. Ampem stressed that agriculture remains a key pillar of the government’s economic transformation agenda and an essential tool for reducing Ghana’s food import bill.
He noted that the country cannot continue spending substantial foreign exchange on food products that can be produced locally.
According to him, government is determined to move agriculture “from subsistence to scale, from production to productivity, and from farming to agribusiness.”
The Deputy Minister added that current interventions are designed to make the sector commercially attractive while creating sustainable employment opportunities for Ghana’s growing youth population.
Focus on Accountability and Results
Mr. Ampem said government is placing greater emphasis on ensuring that budget allocations translate into measurable outcomes for farmers and the wider economy.
“We are no longer interested in budget approvals that sit on paper. The focus now is execution, impact and accountability. Agriculture must pay, and it must pay sustainably for our farmers and for the economy,” he stated.
To strengthen oversight, he disclosed that the Ministry of Finance is working closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to improve monitoring and evaluation systems.
A digital tracking platform is also being introduced to monitor the disbursement and utilisation of agricultural funds, particularly at the district level, with the aim of reducing leakages and enhancing transparency.
The AGRICONNECT Compact launch brought together policymakers, development partners, agribusiness leaders and farmer organisations, all of whom emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration in achieving Ghana’s food security and economic transformation goals.
READ ALSO: Ghana’s Inflation Rate Rises Slightly to 3.7% in May 2026 Despite Continued Stability
