The Government of Ghana has instructed the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to release 50,000 bags of grains to settle Ghana's outstanding obligation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This directive was issued by President John Dramani Mahama and announced by Mr. Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture. The obligation arose from a 2018 grain borrowing arrangement to support the School Feeding Programme.
According to Mr. Opoku, NAFCO currently has 20,433 metric tonnes of grains in storage, which is sufficient to support the repayment. He made this statement at the Annual General Meeting of NAFCO. The Minister also highlighted that Ghana's domestic agricultural production has improved under the Feed Ghana Programme. In 2025, Ghana produced 4.6 million tonnes of maize, exceeding the estimated national demand of 3.6 million tonnes, resulting in a surplus of one million tonnes.
The improved agricultural production is a positive indicator for Ghana's food security. The Feed Ghana Programme has contributed significantly to this achievement. With a surplus of one million tonnes of maize, Ghana is well-positioned to meet its food needs and support regional obligations. The release of 50,000 bags of grain to ECOWAS is a step towards fulfilling Ghana's commitment to the regional organization.
In addition to the release of grain to ECOWAS, Mr. Opoku reported an improvement in NAFCO's financial performance. The company moved from a net loss of 19 billion cedis in 2024 to a net profit of 91.7 billion cedis before tax in 2025. This significant turnaround is attributed to improved management and efforts to sustain its operations. The company's gross profit margin also increased from 1.61 per cent in 2024 to 13.96 per cent in 2025.
Mr. George Abradu-Otoo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NAFCO, explained that the company has strengthened its auditing, procurement, and food safety functions. He noted that prior to his assumption of office, there was no audit department, and people were doing what they liked. The CEO emphasized that the company has controlled expenditure, ensuring that costs are incurred only when there is value. This approach has contributed to NAFCO's improved financial performance.
The CEO also mentioned that work is ongoing to ensure that every district in Ghana has a warehouse for food storage. This initiative aims to enhance the country's food storage capacity and support the government's efforts to improve food security. With improved management and operations, NAFCO is well-positioned to play a critical role in Ghana's food security landscape.
The release of 50,000 bags of grain to ECOWAS demonstrates Ghana's commitment to regional cooperation and food security. The government's directive and NAFCO's improved performance are positive indicators for Ghana's agricultural sector. With continued efforts to improve domestic production and storage capacity, Ghana is likely to make significant strides in food security and regional cooperation.
Key points
- The Government of Ghana has directed the release of 50,000 bags of grain to ECOWAS to settle an outstanding obligation from a 2018 borrowing arrangement.
- Ghana's domestic agricultural production has improved under the Feed Ghana Programme, with a surplus of one million tonnes of maize in 2025.
- NAFCO has shown improved financial performance, moving from a net loss of 19 billion cedis in 2024 to a net profit of 91.7 billion cedis before tax in 2025.
