Sir Sam Jonah Credits Acheampong's Operation Feed Yourself for Ghana's Rice Self-Sufficiency

Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, has praised former Head of State General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong's Operation Feed Yourself campaign for boosting domestic food production in Ghana. Speaking at a lecture honouring Acheampong's legacy on November 13, 2026, Sir Sam Jonah said the programme demonstrated how national leadership could mobilise citizens to produce the food the country consumed. He noted that Acheampong had questioned Ghana's continued reliance on imported rice despite having the necessary resources to produce it locally.

Acheampong's questions, as quoted by Sir Sam Jonah, inspired Operation Feed Yourself, a national agricultural mobilisation campaign led by then Colonel Frank Bernasko. The initiative involved traditional leaders and communities across Ghana, with government support including subsidised farming tools and investment in irrigation dams. The programme delivered measurable results, with rice imports falling to zero in 1975 and again in 1976. This achievement marked a significant milestone in Ghana's agricultural history.

The success of Operation Feed Yourself extended beyond agricultural output, creating a sense of national participation. Sir Sam Jonah noted that for perhaps the only time in Ghana's history, educated Ghanaians were proud to call themselves farmers. The programme also led to farmers in northern Ghana exporting rice and tomatoes to neighbouring Upper Volta, now Burkina Faso. Tamale became known as "Rice City" due to its significant rice production.

Sir Sam Jonah also highlighted Acheampong's "Yentua" policy, in which Ghana repudiated some $90 million of suppliers' credits deemed tainted by corruption. The bold stance forced creditors back to the table and secured a favourable rescheduling agreement in Rome in 1974. This policy move was seen as a significant step towards Ghana's economic independence.

Sir Sam Jonah contrasted Ghana's 1974 rescheduling agreement with the country's recent default in 2022. He noted that in 1972, the slogan was "Yentua: we will not pay," while in 2022, the honest slogan would have been "Yentumi: we cannot." This comparison highlights the significant difference in Ghana's economic management over the years.

Sir Sam Jonah also credited Acheampong with taking controlling stakes in Ashanti Goldfields and other mining companies, opening senior management to Ghanaians. He noted that his own career at Ashanti Goldfields was made possible by the 1972 decree. This move was seen as a significant step towards Ghanaianisation of the country's mining industry.

The lecture honouring Acheampong's legacy serves as a reminder of the impact of Operation Feed Yourself on Ghana's agricultural sector. Sir Sam Jonah's praise for Acheampong's leadership and policies highlights the importance of effective national leadership in driving economic growth and self-sufficiency. The legacy of Operation Feed Yourself continues to inspire efforts towards agricultural development in Ghana.

Key points

• Operation Feed Yourself reduced Ghana's rice imports to zero in 1975 and 1976.
• The programme created a sense of national participation, with educated Ghanaians proud to call themselves farmers.
• Acheampong's "Yentua" policy forced creditors back to the table and secured a favourable rescheduling agreement in Rome in 1974.