Parliamentary Committee and Finance Ministry Propose Sweeping Reforms to Secure Ghana's Agricultural Future

The Parliamentary Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs is intensifying its oversight of Ghana’s agricultural sector, demanding a definitive financing plan for the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project ahead of the 2027 Budget presentation. Committee Chairman Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw expressed concern over the current pace of the initiative, noting that the budgetary allocations for 2025 and 2026 have been insufficient to sustain the project's momentum. The committee is seeking clarity on alternative financing models and specific timelines to revive the critical irrigation infrastructure, which is essential for transforming farming in northern Ghana and ensuring year-round food production.

Complementing the push for infrastructure development, Dr. Jasaw has proposed the establishment of a National Agriculture Development Fund to provide a sustainable financial backbone for the sector. This proposal follows a successful turnaround at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), which transitioned from a GH₵20 million debt position to a profit of over GH₵96 million in 2025. Dr. Jasaw emphasized that institutional strengthening and targeted investment across the agricultural value chain are necessary to build a resilient food system that can withstand external shocks and structural challenges.

On the executive front, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is championing legislative reforms to ensure that the state’s purchasing power directly benefits local producers. Dr. Forson has proposed amendments to Ghana’s procurement laws that would mandate public institutions to prioritize the purchase of food from Ghanaian farmers. Highlighting the scale of this potential market, the Minister pointed out that approximately GH₵3 billion is spent annually on feeding programs within the free secondary education system. By redirecting these funds toward local agriculture, the government aims to create a stable market for farmers, boost rural job creation, and reduce the national import bill.

These coordinated efforts from both the legislative and executive branches signal a strategic shift toward agricultural self-sufficiency and economic protectionism. By combining large-scale infrastructure projects like the Pwalugu Dam with institutional financing through the proposed National Agriculture Development Fund and guaranteed markets via procurement reform, the government seeks to modernize the sector. These initiatives are expected to play a central role in the upcoming 2027 Budget as the administration under President John Mahama looks to solidify food security as a pillar of national economic stability.