Consistent Policies will Drive Food Sufficiency in Ghana – Expert
Country Director of Eco Index Agro Solutions Limited, Dr. Daniel Baisie Jnr, has called for the implementation of strong, practical and effective agricultural policies to help Ghana and the rest of Africa achieve sustainable food sufficiency and reduce dependence on imports.
According to him, the continent possesses the natural resources, arable land and human capital required to feed its growing population. However, inconsistent policies, inadequate implementation and frequent changes in agricultural priorities continue to hinder progress.
Speaking on ZED 101.9 FM’s current affairs show THE FOCUS on the topic “Food Sufficiency in Ghana and Africa: Can We Feed Ourselves?” Dr. Baisie stressed that agricultural policies must be evidence-based, industry-driven and widely adopted by all stakeholders within the agricultural value chain.
He noted that beyond developing good policies, governments must ensure their effective implementation and sustainability over time.
“We need strong and effective agricultural policies that are practical, proven and widely accepted by industry players. More importantly, these policies must remain consistent regardless of political changes so that the sector can achieve continuity, productivity and long-term food security,” he stated.
Dr. Baisie argued that one of the major challenges facing agricultural development in many African countries is the tendency for successive governments to abandon existing programmes and introduce new initiatives, often disrupting progress and creating uncertainty for farmers and investors.
He said agriculture requires long-term planning and investment, adding that policy consistency is critical for attracting private sector participation, expanding production and improving food systems.
His comments come at a time when food security has become a major policy concern across West Africa, amid rising food import bills, climate-related challenges and growing population pressures.
The remarks also follow recent calls by President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, for accelerated efforts to boost rice production across the region. Speaking at the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Dr. Touray announced that ECOWAS is targeting regional rice self-sufficiency by 2035 as part of a broader strategy to strengthen food sovereignty and reduce dependence on imported rice.
Dr. Baisie welcomed the ECOWAS initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction. However, he stressed that achieving such ambitious targets would require sustained investment, improved access to financing, modern farming technologies, irrigation infrastructure and strong policy coordination among member states.
He further called for greater collaboration between governments, research institutions, private investors and farmers to increase agricultural productivity and build resilient food systems capable of withstanding economic and climate shocks.
According to him, Africa has the potential not only to feed itself but also to become a major exporter of agricultural products if the right policies, investments and institutional support systems are put in place.
He concluded that food sufficiency should be treated as a strategic national and regional priority, emphasizing that sustainable agricultural development remains one of the most effective pathways to job creation, poverty reduction and long-term economic growth.
