The Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called on Ghanaians to take a more active role in agriculture, stressing that the country has no justification for continued food imports despite its vast natural potential.
Speaking during a working visit to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Vice President commended farmers, agricultural workers, and institutions across the country for their contributions to improving food production.
“There are so many people in the regions and districts who make this story beautiful. Without them, we would be telling a different story,” she said, urging continued dedication at all levels.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the fundamental importance of food, which described as the most basic necessity of life.
“Food comes before clothing and shelter. Without food, survival becomes impossible,” she noted.
She highlighted Ghana’s favorable tropical climate, which supports the cultivation of a wide range of crops, and urged citizens to take advantage of this natural endowment.
“We live in a part of the world where almost everything grows. We have no excuse not to produce what we need,” she stressed.
The Vice President expressed concern about Ghana’s reliance on imported food, describing it as inconsistent with the country’s agricultural potential.
“You are not truly independent if you can grow your food but still import some,” she said, adding that such practices must become “a thing of the past.”
She encouraged individuals, households, and institutions to contribute in any way possible even small-scale efforts such as growing vegetables in homes.
“If all you can do is grow pepper in a flowerpot, you are still contributing,” she remarked.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang praised the role of women in agriculture, particularly efforts to empower vulnerable women to support themselves and their families through farming.
She also lauded churches and other groups participating in agricultural initiatives, noting that their involvement strengthens national food security.
The Vice President further commended research institutions, especially the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), for their contributions to agricultural development.
“They have numerous research outputs that we must utilize more effectively,” she said, and urged closer collaboration between research bodies and government ministries.
