At the closing session of the prestigious Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of Ghana, delivered a keynote address that underscored the urgency of agricultural transformation across Africa. Honoring the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug, she emphasized that his conviction—that no child should go to bed hungry—must remain a moral compass for global leaders.
Agriculture, the Vice President noted, is central to Ghana’s development agenda. With nearly 40% of Ghanaians employed in the sector, the country paradoxically spends over $2 billion annually importing food it has the climate and capacity to produce. “This must change,” she declared.
She spotlighted President John Dramani Mahama’s ambitious Feed Ghana Programme, a market-driven initiative spanning 22 commodity value chains—from grains and legumes to tree crops and livestock. The program aims to address systemic gaps in irrigation, storage, processing, digital integration, and market access.
Complementing this is the Grow24 Programme, part of Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy strategy. Grow24 seeks to modernize agriculture, boost agro-manufacturing, and build export-ready agribusinesses. A five-year Agricultural Risk Management Strategy is also underway, targeting poultry, tomato, and maize production in key regions.
Vice President Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also addressed gender equity in agriculture, noting that women make up more than half of Ghana’s agricultural workforce but face significant barriers. The Women’s Development Bank is being launched to improve access to land, credit, technology, and training. Simultaneously, Ghana is investing in youth-led agritech, mechanization services, and digital market platforms.
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquartered in Accra, Ghana is poised to lead in building regional value chains and scaling agro-exports. The Vice President extended an open invitation to investors, governments, universities, development banks, and foundations to partner with Ghana in this transformation.
Following her keynote, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang engaged in a fireside chat with Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, discussing Ghana’s strategic approach to agriculture and inclusive development.
The event culminated in the presentation of the 2025 World Food Prize to Dr. Marieangela Hungria, a Brazilian agronomist celebrated for her groundbreaking work in biological nitrogen fixation.
“The fight against hunger demands thoughtful action,” Vice President Opoku-Agyemang concluded. “Africa must become food secure, a net exporter of food, a center of innovation, and a beacon of peace.”
