Ghana is stepping up efforts to reduce its palm oil import bill by about $200 million each year by courting Chinese investors to support an ambitious agricultural transformation plan.
Speaking at the Chinese Lunar New Year Gala 2026 in Accra, Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku said farming is central to President John Dramani Mahama’s economic reset agenda, Business Insider Africa reported.
Opoku noted that the 2026 budget positions agriculture as a driver of industrialisation, export growth, job creation, and foreign exchange stability.
As part of this push, the government is distributing 31,000 metric tonnes of rice seed, 4,388 metric tonnes of maize seed, 2,791 metric tonnes of soybean seed, and 272,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser this year.
Authorities are also expanding irrigation infrastructure and building dams in northern regions to reduce reliance on rain-fed farming.
Don’t Miss This:
Ghana Limits Offshore Investments To Protect Cedi
Opoku highlighted opportunities for Chinese companies, particularly in irrigation systems, mechanisation, agro-processing, and machinery assembly.
“We are not seeking aid. We are building joint ventures,” he said, urging investors to shift “from trade to production.”
At the centre of Ghana’s strategy is the Integrated Oil Palm Development Programme, running from 2026 to 2032. The initiative plans to develop 100,000 hectares of plantations, create 250,000 jobs, and significantly cut palm oil imports.
With structured land banks already available, Ghana aims to position itself as a regional hub for agriculture and manufacturing, leveraging access to the more than 400 million-strong ECOWAS market to attract long-term investment.
Don’t Miss This:
Ghana Targets 127 Tons Of Artisanal Gold Under Major Sector Reforms
Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
