Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Chairman of Parliament's Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, has advocated for a National Agriculture Development Fund to accelerate Ghana's food systems transformation. He believes this fund would provide sustainable financing for critical interventions across the agricultural value chain, strengthening food production and addressing structural challenges in the sector. Dr Jasaw made this call during a working visit to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) regional office in Kumasi.
The proposed National Agriculture Development Fund would support investment in production, storage, processing, and other areas necessary to transform Ghana's agricultural sector. Dr Jasaw emphasized that strengthening institutions like NAFCO and providing dedicated financing for agriculture is crucial to building a resilient food system. This move is expected to help address some of the challenges facing Ghana's agricultural sector.
Dr Jasaw commended NAFCO for its improved financial performance, noting that the company had moved from a debt position of about GH¢20 million to recording a profit of over GH¢96 million in 2025. This significant turnaround demonstrates NAFCO's potential to play a vital role in Ghana's food systems transformation. The Committee's visit aimed to assess NAFCO's operations and identify areas for improvement.
The National Agriculture Development Fund would provide critical financing for initiatives that enhance food production, processing, and storage. Dr Jasaw's call for this fund is part of a broader effort to address the structural challenges facing Ghana's agricultural sector. By providing sustainable financing, the fund would help to strengthen food production and improve the overall resilience of the sector.
Strengthening institutions like NAFCO is essential to building a resilient food system in Ghana. Dr Jasaw's visit to NAFCO's Kumasi office highlighted the importance of these institutions in driving food systems transformation. With a dedicated fund, NAFCO and similar institutions could invest in initiatives that enhance food production, processing, and storage.
The agricultural sector is critical to Ghana's economy, and efforts to transform the sector are crucial to ensuring food security and sustainable development. Dr Jasaw's advocacy for a National Agriculture Development Fund reflects the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges facing the sector. The proposed fund would provide a vital source of financing for initiatives that drive food systems transformation.
The implementation of a National Agriculture Development Fund would require collaboration between stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, and private sector players. Dr Jasaw's call for this fund is expected to stimulate discussions on innovative financing solutions for Ghana's agricultural sector. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in determining the feasibility of the proposed fund.
Key points
- Dr Jasaw calls for a National Agriculture Development Fund to accelerate Ghana's food systems transformation.
- The proposed fund would provide sustainable financing for critical interventions across the agricultural value chain.
- NAFCO has demonstrated a significant turnaround, moving from a debt of GH¢20 million to a profit of over GH¢96 million in 2025.
