Agri-Impact CEO welcomes Tenfold Boost in Agriculture Budget, urges focus on post-harvest losses

Dr. (h.c.) Daniel Fahene Acquaye, Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited, has commended the government for significantly increasing the 2026 budget allocation to agriculture and agribusiness, from 0.5% of the national budget in 2025 to 5% in 2026—representing a tenfold rise. Speaking at the Regional Agribusiness Dialogue on December 9, 2025, at the Global Dream Hotel in Tamale, Northern Region, he described the move as a bold step toward strengthening Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The new allocation, amounting to about GH¢13 billion, covers agriculture, agribusiness, and fisheries. However, Dr. Acquaye cautioned that unless Ghana addresses persistent post-harvest losses, estimated at US$1.9 billion annually, the increased funding may not achieve the desired transformation.

“Even with the GH¢13 billion allocation, we are only covering about 50% of our post-harvest losses. Until these losses are addressed, any investment in agriculture risks adding to existing wastage,” he noted.

Recurring Droughts and Gluts

Dr. Acquaye also highlighted Ghana’s recurring cycle of food shortages during droughts and surpluses during periods of good rainfall, describing it as a long-standing systemic problem. “When there is drought, we face a challenge; when it rains, we face a challenge. This problem predates me and remains unresolved. It cannot continue,” he stressed.

He pointed to a disconnect between production and processing, saying, “When farmers produce, they don’t have agro-processors. When processors set up factories, they lack raw materials. This gap must be bridged.” He added that without improvements in infrastructure—such as roads, irrigation, storage, and market access—farmers will continue to face gluts and shortages.

Northern Ghana’s Potential

Dr. Acquaye called for urgent policy reforms and greater investment in Northern Ghana, which accounts for over 40% of the country’s land area. He noted the region produces key crops including rice, maize, soya, yam, groundnut, sorghum, and cotton, yet suffers from inadequate agro-processing facilities and post-harvest infrastructure.

Highlighting the scale of losses, he revealed that post-harvest losses of yam alone equal roughly 30% of the entire 2026 agriculture budget, underscoring the need for targeted investment. “This region should be the breadbasket of the nation,” he emphasized, urging the government and private sector to prioritise storage systems, processing plants, and post-harvest facilities to unlock its full potential.

Government Interventions

Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to repositioning agribusiness as a key pillar of Ghana’s industrial transformation and the envisioned 24-hour economy. Speaking through Mr. George Owusu Ansah Amoah, Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry, he highlighted Ghana’s opportunity to tap into the growing global agribusiness market, currently valued at US$3.4–3.5 trillion and projected to reach US$4.4–5.8 trillion by 2033.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Ministry’s realignment—from Trade and Industry to Trade, Agribusiness and Industry—demonstrates a deliberate focus on linking agriculture with industry. To support agro-industrialisation, he announced a two-phase strategy to improve access to agricultural machinery, including tax waivers on agro-processing equipment to lower costs and encourage investment.

The Regional Agribusiness Dialogue, supported by Agri-Impact Limited and other partners, is part of broader efforts to gather input for the formulation of a national agribusiness policy aimed at transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector and fostering sustainable growth.