Ghana’s strong reliance on imported food had reached an alarming level before the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration assumed office on January 7, 2025, with the country spending nearly $3 billion each year on basic commodities including rice, poultry, vegetable oils, sugar and other processed foods.
Many of these items could be produced domestically, yet their importation placed significant strain on Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and exposed the economy to volatile global price changes.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on November 24, 2025, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, warned that food prices surged nationwide between 2022 and early 2025. In major urban markets, prices of staple goods more than doubled, with the situation reaching its peak in January 2023 when food inflation recorded an unprecedented 61% — the highest ever in the country’s history. Although inflation later declined slightly, it remained excessively high, weakening household purchasing power and escalating the cost of living.
“By the time the NDC government assumed office, food inflation stood at 28.3%, reflecting a fragile economic environment” he said.
He noted, however, that through focused interventions and improved policy direction, the government has managed to stabilise price pressures. As of October 2025, food inflation had reduced to 9.5%, bringing notable relief to both households and businesses.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture indicated that this improvement stemmed from key structural reforms introduced immediately after the new administration took office. These measures are designed to enhance long-term agricultural productivity, promote sustainability, curb import dependence and establish a resilient national food system.
A critical area of concern has been seed production and localisation. For years, “Ghana faced delayed deliveries of imported seeds, many of which arrived well after planting seasons, affecting yields and undermining food security” he added.
To remedy this, the government has prioritised local seed production as a national strategy, emphasising that seed sovereignty is fundamental to achieving food sovereignty.
The Ministry has further strengthened partnerships with Ghana’s research institutions in seed development, testing and certification. In a significant policy change, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture announced that from 2026, all seeds supplied to Ghanaian farmers will be sourced locally — a move expected to enhance domestic production capacity and pave the way for sustained agricultural transformation.
Source: GBC
