Chamber of Agribusiness Urges 20-Year Agricultural Transformation Plan
The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has called on the government to adopt a comprehensive 20-year Agricultural Transformation Strategy, warning that decades of short-term programmes have failed to bring lasting change to the sector.
In a report titled The Case for a Long-Term Agricultural Sector Policy and Strategy for Ghana, CAG highlighted that most agricultural initiatives have been shaped by political cycles rather than sustained development planning.
According to Anthony Morrison, President of the Chamber, this approach has produced temporary increases in output but has not addressed the fundamental challenges facing farmers and rural communities.
The report notes that Ghana has launched more than 35 major agricultural policies since independence, yet the country has never implemented a long-term framework spanning two decades. Morrison added that Ghana spends over 2.5 billion dollars annually on food imports, while many local farmers remain impoverished, youth are leaving the sector, and the nation falls behind other countries that have committed to long-term agricultural strategies.
CAG is proposing the Ghana National Agricultural Transformation Strategy (GNATS) 2026–2045, supported by a 30-billion-dollar investment plan. The strategy aims to mobilize resources from government, private investors, development partners and innovative financing models.
The Chamber cited international examples from Brazil, Vietnam, China, Thailand and Rwanda, where long-term agricultural strategies have enhanced food security, boosted exports and reduced poverty. Mr. Morrison emphasized that Ghana cannot afford to delay implementing a long-term strategy if the nation is serious about transforming its agricultural sector.
Under GNATS, agricultural GDP could rise from 14 billion to more than 40 billion dollars by 2045, exports could surpass 10 billion dollars annually, over two million jobs could be created, and the country’s food import bill could be cut by up to 70%.
Dr. Kwame Boateng, Director of Policy and Research at the Chamber, said the plan outlines clear investment priorities, realistic funding mechanisms and strong governance structures to ensure continuity across political administrations.
