Honourable Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, addressed a high-level global forum on job creation in Africa held in Rome, Italy.
He highlighted how modern agriculture can drive sustainable employment across Africa. He revealed that agriculture contributes nearly 30% of Ghana’s GDP and supports 24% of the workforce. He also made it known that about 160,000 young people enter the labour market each year.
The Minister therefore underscored the urgent need to modernize the sector and create opportunities along the value chain for the youth across the country. Through the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), the Feed Ghana Programme, and the 24-Hour Economy Policy, Ghana is turning farming into a business and agribusiness enterprise, linking agriculture with industry.
Key initiatives discussed include expanding irrigation, building farm roads, strengthening national food storage, and providing mechanization support to smallholder farmers, ensuring they can produce more and access larger markets.
Hon. Opoku also highlighted the importance of investment, technology, and financing in accelerating agricultural transformation. “When farmers have access to inputs, markets, and infrastructure, they can expand production, create jobs, and drive economic growth,” he noted.
The forum brought together global leaders, including the President of the World Bank, the Prime Minister of Italy, and the President of Singapore, to discuss strategies for creating sustainable employment across Africa.
The Minister underscored government’s commitment to youth employment, industrial growth, and a modern, resilient agricultural sector thereby showing the world how investment in agriculture can transform economies and lives.
Source: PR Unit (MOFA)
