GHANA can harness the full potential of its agricultural sector by adopting a value-chain approach to financing, the Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, has said.
That, he said, can be done by providing targeted financial support to all actors along the chain, reducing risks, enhancing productivity and ensuring inclusive growth that reaches every corner of the agricultural ecosystem.
He said such an approach will integrate farmers, processors, marketers and exporters into a seamless ecosystem, where finance flows efficiently to meet their diverse needs, breaking down the traditional silos that have long hindered the sector’s growth.
Mr Ahi spoke at a high-profile stakeholder event in Accra on Thursday. His address covered the topic, “Value-Chain Agricultural Financing and the Role of Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.”
The event, on the theme: “Enhancing Value chain investments to improve food systems”, was organised by CHUB Africa. It brought together key players across the agricultural ecosystem, including policymakers, academics and private sector leaders, all united in their commitment to enhance value chain investments to build stronger, more sustainable food systems in Ghana and beyond.
Sustainable growth
He said that as the country strives for sustainable growth, food security and industrialisation in an increasingly competitive global market, the agricultural value chain, which covers input supply, production, processing, marketing and distribution, remains essential for Ghana’s economic growth and development.
The comprehensive value chain approach, he explained, recognises that agriculture is not just about farming but encompasses the entire journey from farm gate to consumer plate, creating opportunities for value addition at every stage.
“In 2023, agriculture contributed 21.1 per cent to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it one of the largest contributors to national income, and the sector also employs about 34 per cent of the workforce, representing millions of Ghanaians whose livelihoods depend directly or indirectly on agricultural activities,” Mr Ahi stated.
