President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed the importance of innovation and technology in driving Ghana’s agricultural transformation at the Ghana AgroTech Fair 2026.
Speaking as special guest at the event, the President said the platform provides more than a showcase of machinery, describing it as a critical link between research, enterprise, and investment.
“Events such as this do more than just showcase machinery and technology; they connect ideas to enterprise, research to industry, and innovation to investment.” - President John Dramani Mahama
He added that such initiatives help reposition agriculture as a key driver of productivity and national prosperity.
Shifting perceptions of agriculture in Africa
President Mahama noted that the fair comes at a time when agriculture across Africa is often narrowly viewed through the lens of subsistence farming.
“This AgroTech fair comes at an important moment in Ghana’s development journey. Across Africa, agriculture has often been discussed only in terms of subsistence farming vulnerability.” - President John Dramani Mahama
He stressed, however, that with the right structure and investment, agriculture has the potential to become one of the most powerful engines of economic transformation.
The President emphasised that agriculture must be understood as a comprehensive economic sector that extends far beyond cultivation.
“Agriculture is not merely about cultivation… it is about value addition, industrial development, jobs and exports, and increasingly… technology and innovation.” - President John Dramani Mahama
According to him, unlocking the full potential of the sector will require a shift toward modern systems that integrate production, processing, and market access.
Modernising the agricultural value chain
President Mahama underscored the need to modernise the entire agricultural value chain to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
“This fair reminds us that the future of agriculture lies not simply in expanding acreage but in modernising the entire agriculture value chain,” he noted, highlighting areas such as logistics, packaging, and global marketing.
He also commended the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness and the Ghana Export-Import Bank for their role in organising the event.
The fair is expected to foster collaboration among stakeholders and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions to strengthen Ghana’s agribusiness sector.
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