Greater Accra Launches Monthly Farmers’ Market
Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Akweley Ocloo, has officially inaugurated the Greater Accra Regional Monthly Farmers’ Market, an initiative aimed at expanding market access for farmers while ensuring a reliable and steady supply of affordable food items for consumers across the region.
Speaking at the launch the Minister commended the Regional Department of Agriculture for spearheading the initiative, describing it as a well-timed and strategic intervention to reinforce the region’s food systems and provide sustained support to local farmers and agribusinesses.
She explained that although Greater Accra remains predominantly urban, agriculture continues to play a significant role in employment creation and income generation, largely driven by irrigation infrastructure and targeted government policies and programmes.
According to her, the region currently benefits from eight functional irrigation schemes, which facilitate the all-year-round cultivation of crops such as rice, maize, vegetables, and fruits, thereby contributing significantly to food security and supply stability.
She further highlighted ongoing government interventions under the Feed Ghana Programme, revealing that over 1,500 farmers have received fertiliser support to enhance productivity, while several institutions, including educational facilities, have been actively engaged to promote youth interest and participation in agriculture.
In addition, she noted that thousands of broiler chickens have been produced and distributed to households within the region under the programme’s poultry component, as part of efforts to boost domestic food production and improve livelihoods.
The Minister stressed that while efforts to increase agricultural production are yielding results, equal attention must be given to strengthening market systems to ensure that farmers are able to sell their produce at fair and competitive prices.
She indicated that the introduction of the monthly farmers’ market would help eliminate excessive middlemen activities, reduce food prices for consumers, and minimise post-harvest losses by providing a direct and dependable sales platform for farmers.
The market, she disclosed, will be held on the last Friday and Saturday of every month, thereby creating a consistent and structured avenue for the sale and purchase of fresh farm produce across the Greater Accra Region.
She urged farmers, corporate institutions, and the general public to actively support and patronise the initiative to guarantee its long-term success, expressing confidence that it will significantly improve farmers’ incomes while enhancing access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food for residents.
She added that the launch of the farmers’ market marks a major step forward in advancing agricultural development and strengthening food security within the Greater Accra Region.
