Author: Sefakor
The government is set to present a bill before Parliament aimed at scrapping or reducing taxes on vehicles and equipment imported for industrial and agricultural purposes. The proposed legislation, which will be tabled when Parliament resumes sitting, is part of a broader initiative to fulfill President John Mahama’s campaign pledge to eliminate such levies within his first 120 days in office. According to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, the bill is expected to ease the financial burden on farmers, lower food production costs, and ultimately drive down food inflation across the country. He expressed confidence that the…
An agribusiness development expert, Dr. Victor Antwi, is advocating for targeted capacity building within Ghana’s financial institutions to improve their understanding of the agricultural sector and strengthen financing solutions for farmers. He argues that banks often struggle to design appropriate loan products for agribusinesses due to a limited understanding of farming dynamics, particularly crop cycles and seasonal income patterns. “If you’re unfamiliar with the yield patterns of a particular crop, it becomes difficult to estimate cash flow accurately,” he explained. “For example, cereals and legumes usually require a six-month repayment window, and financing must be made available at least a…
A new chapter in Africa’s climate and development journey has begun in Accra with the official launch of Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA), a transformative movement aimed at empowering African women in climate action, sustainable development, and economic inclusion. Under this project, 16,000 women will be empowered through the Microfinace and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to produce different crops as part of government’s transformation agenda in the agricultural sector. The launch event, held in Accra brought together government officials, civil society actors, women leaders, and sustainability advocates. WiSA is in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection,…
Brong Ahafo Women Cooperative Farmers and Marketing Central Women Union Limited (BAWCOF) has appealed to COCOBOD to facilitate petty loans to farmers to support their farming business. The appeal was made during a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Abbey at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Tano North Municipality of Ahafo Region. The president of BAWCOF, with over 7,129 women from 96 cooperatives in nine cocoa districts, Martha Addai, noted that “the Union cultivated 6,857.82 hectares of cocoa, producing approximately 8,000 bags of cocoa beans annually.” Amid the challenges the industry is currently facing, BAWCOF assured…
Following calls for an increase in cocoa price for farmers, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has assured farmers of deserving upward price adjustment higher than that of its regional competitor, Côte D’Ivoire. The Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Randy Abbey revealed that the producer price increment for 2025/2026 will take effect in August this year. He announced this during a meeting with cocoa farmers at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Tano North Municipality of Ahafo Region, as part of a working visit to the Bono and Ahafo regions. Speaking directly to farmers, Dr. Abbey warned against hoarding and smuggling of cocoa beans, which…
With depleting cocoa stock over the years due to several factors including illegal mining, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is planning to introduce new legislation to protect the sector and increase production. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Randy Abbey, his outfit through the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s department will roll out the legislation and calls for support from all stakeholders. He stated that current laws do not have the necessary bite to deter individuals and businesses from the destruction of cocoa farms under the pretext of mineral exploration. Dr. Abbey noted that discussions are currently…
Ahead of its launch on April 11, 2025 in Techiman in the Bono East Region, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has outdoored nine pragmatic initiatives under the Feed Ghana Programme (FGP), a flagship project under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA). With a primary aim to reduce the country’s over-dependence on food import, reduce food inflation, achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture, the FGP has promised to roll out these initiatives across the agricultural value chain to empower youth entrepreneurship and create employment. The implementation plan will encourage the smart advancement of agriculture by setting up Farmers’…
Every available space, no matter how small, can be transformed into a valuable asset for families looking to reduce their food expenses. By embracing home gardening, households can cultivate their own food crops, such as tomatoes, okra, cassava, plantains, and onions, among others, in their backyards or even in sacks on cemented compounds. This practice not only helps reduce the financial burden of buying these essentials, especially during dry seasons when prices skyrocket but also promotes food security and sustainability. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, through its Feed Ghana Programme, is championing this initiative, encouraging Ghanaians to adopt home…
Four Industrial fishing vessels have had their licences suspended by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, after being found guilty of repeated illegal fishing within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to an official statement from the government, the affected vessels are identified as Meng Xin 10 (owned by Nassa Co. Ltd.), Florence 2 (owned by Akrafi Fisheries), Long Xiang 607, and Long Xiang 608 (both owned by Wannimas Complex Co. Ltd. They were found guilty of multiple violations of Ghana’s fisheries laws, including unauthorised transshipment, also known as Saiko, dumping of fish, fishing…
President John Dramani Mahama has encouraged the leadership of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to welcome innovation by adopting modern technology and best agronomic practices to enhance yields without expanding farm sizes. The First Gentleman of the Land also reiterated the need to move beyond traditional farming methods to ensure increased productivity and sustainability in the cocoa sector. He made these comments when the CEO of COCOBOD, Dr. Ransford Anertey Abbey, led members of the Cocoa, Coffee & Sheanut Farmers Association (COCOSHE) to pay a courtesy visit on him at the Jubilee House in Accra. President Mahama expressed gratitude to…