Ghana's Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku has written to the Finance Minister, urging a reversal of the country's proposed withdrawal from the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP). In his letter dated 28 September 2026, Mr Opoku warned that the decision has put over GH¢643 million in existing commitments and key agricultural activities at risk. The programme's implementation team has been directed by the World Bank to pause activities with immediate effect.
According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), outstanding obligations for agricultural infrastructure works under the programme total GH¢643,867,633.36. This includes GH¢520,257,975.43 in credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and GH¢123,609,657.93 from the FS2030 Trust Fund. The minister cautioned that notifying the World Bank of a withdrawal would not remove the government's obligations under contracts already signed.
The pause in activities affects several key projects, including rehabilitation works at the Weta, Vea, and Kpong irrigation schemes, as well as selected inland valleys. The World Bank has also directed a halt to procurement and implementation of tomato seed and micro-irrigation activities funded by a Norwegian grant. Delays in these activities could cause farmers to miss seasonal planting windows, pushing back production and expected benefits.
The suspension of activities also impacts the government's Feed Ghana programme. Recruitment has been stopped for the Feed Ghana Brigade, an adviser to the ministry's Network Operations Centre, and a data analyst. Further digitisation, farmer registration, and support for the Feed Ghana Secretariat have also been halted. These stoppages could delay systems needed to identify farmers, direct support to beneficiaries, and monitor delivery.
Minister Opoku urged the Finance Ministry to formally retract its 23 September notice to the World Bank and seek the Bank's written clearance before the affected activities resume. He also called for the two ministries to urgently reconcile contractual commitments, payments due, and activities affected by the suspension. They should then engage the World Bank on an arrangement that protects ongoing works and restores implementation.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has requested that funding for the Pwalugu project be pursued through an arrangement that does not jeopardise Ghana's existing FSRP commitments or the agricultural interventions affected by the pause. The letter emphasised that an alternative funding plan is needed to avoid possible delays, additional costs, or contractual claims if work is suspended or terminated.
The Agric Minister's call to reverse the withdrawal comes as the country's agricultural sector faces significant challenges. The sector is a critical component of Ghana's economy, and any disruptions to its activities could have far-reaching consequences. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is working to mitigate the effects of the pause and ensure that key projects are completed.
Key points
- The Agric Minister has urged a reversal of Ghana's withdrawal from the World Bank's Food System Resilience Programme.
- The programme's pause has put over GH¢643 million in existing commitments and key agricultural activities at risk.
- The suspension affects several key projects, including irrigation schemes and the Feed Ghana programme.
