Gov’t Injects $20m into Agriculture in Northern Savannah Zone
The Government of Ghana has announced the injection of US$20 million into agriculture in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone in a bid to boost food security, create jobs and improve livelihoods in rural communities.
The initiative, which is being funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP), was launched in Tamale by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku. He explained that the programme is designed to enhance food and nutrition security while building resilience against the impact of climate change on farmers in the north.
The project will be rolled out across twelve districts, including Tamale Metro, Mion, Savelugu, Nanton, West Gonja, East Mamprusi, Mamprugu Moagduri, Bawku West, Wa Municipal, Nandom, Sissala East and Krachi East. It is expected to benefit at least 50,000 households, with particular focus on 30,000 women and youth who are among the most vulnerable to food insecurity.
Mr. Opoku noted that the programme will support climate-smart agricultural practices aimed at improving yields of staple crops such as maize, rice, soybean, cowpea and groundnut. It will also promote year-round vegetable production through the use of solar-powered irrigation systems. In addition, the initiative will scale up the Savannah Investment Programme by providing access to finance, strengthening the poultry value chain and reducing the country’s dependence on food imports.
The Agriculture Minister emphasised that these investments reflect government’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector into a major driver of economic growth. According to him, meaningful progress in agriculture can only be achieved through deliberate policies and targeted investments that address existing challenges while promoting sustainability.
He expressed optimism that the programme will significantly improve household incomes, increase food production and contribute to the long-term resilience of Ghana’s food systems, particularly in the northern regions.
