The Government of Ghana, in collaboration with the World Bank Group and other development partners, has officially launched the AgriConnect Compact, a comprehensive national framework designed to bolster food security, generate employment opportunities, reduce reliance on food imports, and attract significant investment across key agricultural sectors. The initiative aims to create a coordinated public and private agenda to enhance productivity, expand value addition, improve market and financial access, and build resilience within Ghana’s agri-food system.
A Strategic Framework for Agricultural Transformation
The AgriConnect Compact prioritizes strategic crops and commodities including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry. It also extends support to other vital sectors such as cashew, coconut, rubber, fisheries, and the broader forest economy. This multi-faceted approach underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging agriculture as a primary engine for national development and economic growth.
In its initial phase, scheduled from 2026 to 2030, the Compact targets substantial improvements in food and nutrition security for an estimated 2.99 million people. Furthermore, it projects the creation of over 2.6 million jobs by the year 2035, indicating a significant impact on youth employment and rural livelihoods.
Mobilizing Investment and Expertise
The financial requirements for the first phase of the AgriConnect Compact are estimated at approximately US$3.5 billion. Funding is anticipated from a combination of sources, including the Government of Ghana, international development partners, and substantial private sector investment. This collaborative funding model is designed to ensure the sustainable implementation and long-term success of the initiative.
Guangzhe Chen, World Bank Group Vice President for Planet, hailed the Compact as a pivotal step towards establishing a more productive, resilient, and job-rich food system. “By linking policy reform with investment and delivery, Ghana is creating the conditions to strengthen food security, support farmers and agribusinesses, and unlock private capital at scale,” Chen stated.
Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, emphasized the Compact’s role in translating agricultural potential into tangible outcomes. “AgriConnect is about turning Ghana’s agricultural potential into tangible results: more food on the table, more jobs for young people, and more value created here at home. This Compact provides a clear roadmap to modernise agriculture, support farmers, and build stronger value chains that can drive growth nationwide,” Opoku remarked.
Focus on Modernization and Resilience
The Compact is strategically designed to enhance domestic production capabilities, build robust resilience against climate and market shocks, and foster a more competitive rural economy. Key focus areas include improvements in irrigation infrastructure, advanced seed systems, agricultural mechanization, enhanced farmer services, expanded agro-processing facilities, and modernized logistics networks. These interventions are crucial for enabling more food to be grown, processed, and effectively marketed within Ghana.
Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister of Finance, affirmed the government’s dedication to achieving the Compact’s objectives. “The Government remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to translate the aspirations of this AgriConnect Compact into tangible results for our people. This is Ghana’s moment to feed itself, employ its youth, build competitive industries, and create wealth from its own soil,” Ampem declared.
A Collaborative Approach to Growth
The AgriConnect Compact is being advanced through a concerted effort by the Government of Ghana, supported by the World Bank Group and other international and local partners. This collaboration aims to accelerate agricultural transformation, attract significant private capital, and strengthen the overall implementation capacity. A core tenet of the Compact is its emphasis on measurable results, effective coordination, and enhanced collaboration among government bodies, development institutions, agribusinesses, and farmer organizations.
By integrating policy reforms, targeted investments, and robust delivery mechanisms into a unified national framework, the Compact positions agriculture as a pivotal driver for inclusive growth, industrialization, enhanced resilience, and sustained long-term prosperity for Ghana. The initiative represents a significant shift towards a more self-sufficient and globally competitive agricultural sector.
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