Ghana's Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has initiated engagements with traditional authorities to advance the country's agricultural transformation agenda. On September 29, 2026, the Minister paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, Nii Teiko Tsuru II, to discuss the role of traditional leaders in supporting agricultural development. The meeting focused on improving communication between the Ministry and farming communities.

The Ga Mantse welcomed the engagement and emphasized the need for closer cooperation to ensure that agricultural information and government initiatives reach communities effectively. He urged the Ministry to prioritize maize production, citing its importance to the food needs of the Ga people. The Ga Mantse assured the Minister of the Ga State's continued support for the Ministry's initiatives.

Minister Opoku outlined the Ministry's ambition to make agriculture a more profitable enterprise, capable of attracting young people. He mentioned the Feed Ghana Programme, which contributed to maize production exceeding 4.6 million tonnes in 2025, surpassing the estimated national demand of 3.6 million tonnes. This achievement demonstrates the potential for growth in the agricultural sector.

The courtesy call is part of the Ministry's broader stakeholder engagements aimed at building stronger partnerships with Traditional Authorities. The government seeks to improve agricultural productivity, promote investment in the sector, and strengthen Ghana's food security. By collaborating with traditional leaders, the Ministry aims to ensure that its initiatives are effective and reach the target communities.

The engagement with the Ga Mantse is a significant step towards achieving the Ministry's goals. The Minister's efforts to engage with traditional authorities demonstrate the importance of collaboration in driving agricultural development. The Ga Mantse's call for closer cooperation and emphasis on maize production highlight the specific needs and priorities of the Ga people.

The Ministry's initiatives, such as the Feed Ghana Programme, have shown promising results. The programme's success in increasing maize production is a positive indicator for the sector. However, the Minister acknowledged that more work needs to be done to achieve the government's goals. The engagement with traditional authorities is crucial in identifying and addressing the challenges facing the sector.

The Agric Minister's engagement with the Ga Mantse is part of a broader effort to strengthen partnerships with traditional authorities. The government recognizes the critical role that traditional leaders play in supporting agricultural development and promoting investment in the sector. The outcome of the engagement will likely inform the Ministry's future initiatives and strategies.

Key points

  • The Agric Minister's engagement with the Ga Mantse aims to strengthen collaboration for agricultural development.
  • The Ministry seeks to prioritize maize production, given its importance to the food needs of the Ga people.
  • The Feed Ghana Programme contributed to maize production exceeding 4.6 million tonnes in 2025.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.