The Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited, Dr. (h.c.) Daniel Fahene Acquaye, has welcomed the government’s significant increase in budgetary allocation to the agriculture and agribusiness sectors from 0.5% of the national budget in 2025 to 5% in 2026, describing it as a bold step toward strengthening the sector.
Speaking at the Regional Agribusiness Dialogue held on Tuesday, December 9 at the Global Dream Hotel in Tamale in the Northern Region, Dr. Acquaye noted that the new allocation, amounting to approximately GH¢13 billion, is ten times higher than the previous year’s.
He, however, cautioned that without addressing Ghana’s persistent post-harvest losses, the investment may not yield the desired transformation.
Ghana’s post-harvest losses are estimated at US$1.9 billion annually.
“It is important to mention that in the 2026 budget, we have seen a significant budget allocation for agriculture and agribusiness. The 2025 budget was so small that it represented about 0.5% of the total national budget. In 2026, it has increased to about 5% of the total national budget, which is very substantial—about ten times what was allocated in 2025. This is good, and we want to appreciate the government for that.
“Now that we have increased our budget to about 13 billion Ghana cedis (covering agriculture, agribusiness, and fisheries), it represents only about 50% of our post-harvest losses. This means our post-harvest loss is so huge that until we address it, any money we put into agriculture will only add to the existing post-harvest loss.”
Recurring drought and glut
The agribusiness expert further expressed concern over Ghana’s recurring cycle of food shortages during droughts and gluts during periods of good rainfall, describing it as a long-standing systemic failure that must be urgently corrected.
He questioned why Ghana continues to struggle regardless of weather conditions.
“When there is drought, we have a challenge; when it rains, we have a challenge. This problem existed before I was born, and today it remains the same. It cannot continue,” he stressed.
Dr. Acquaye also highlighted the disconnect between production and processing.
“When farmers produce, they don’t have agro-processors. When processors establish factories, they don’t have raw materials. There is a clear disconnect,” he said.
He warned that unless Ghana strengthens critical infrastructure such as roads, irrigation, storage facilities, and market access, gluts and shortages will persist, leaving farmers unable to benefit from their hard work.
Dr. (h.c.) Acquaye further called for urgent policy reforms and deeper investment in agricultural infrastructure in northern Ghana, arguing that the region has the potential to feed the entire nation yet suffers from severe under-investment.
The agribusiness and value chain expert noted that northern Ghana, which makes up over 40% of Ghana’s total land surface, produces key crops such as rice, maize, soya, yam, groundnut, sorghum, cotton among others yet, the region has very few agro-processing facilities to add value to the produce.
Post-harvest losses of yam up north
He revealed that the post-harvest loss of yam alone equals about 30% of the entire 2026 agriculture budget, underscoring the scale of waste and the urgent need for infrastructure investments.
Poor road networks, inadequate irrigation systems, and seasonal flooding, he said, continue to deepen vulnerabilities for farmers.
“This region should be the breadbasket of the entire nation,” Dr. Acquaye emphasized.
He urged the government and private sector to prioritize processing plants, storage systems, and post-harvest infrastructure to unlock the region’s full potential.
Deputy Minister on interventions
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to repositioning the agribusiness sector as a major pillar for Ghana’s industrial transformation and the envisioned 24-hour economy.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr. George Owusu Ansah Amoah, Director of the Research, Statistics and Information Management Directorate (RSIM) at the Ministry, Mr. Ahi noted that Ghana stands at a defining moment as global agribusiness opportunities continue to expand.
He referenced projections indicating that the global agribusiness market—currently valued between US$3.4 trillion and US$3.5 trillion—is expected to reach between US$4.4 trillion and US$5.8 trillion by 2033.
“We have a unique opportunity to tap into this expanding market through innovation, value addition, contract farming, and sustainable agribusiness practices,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister explained that the realignment of the Ministry, from the Ministry of Trade and Industry to the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, signals a deliberate government shift toward strengthening linkages between agriculture and industry.
To support agro-industrialization, he announced a two-phased strategy for improving access to agricultural machinery.
“In the short term, government will waive taxes on agro-processing machinery to lower costs and incentivize investment,” he revealed.
The Agribusiness Dialogue forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, with support from key partners including Agri-Impact Limited, to seek inputs for the formulation of a national agribusiness policy for the country.