H.E Shri Surinder Bhagat, the Indian Ambassador to Ghana, said the Government of India stands ready to support Ghana’s agricultural development programmes.
He said India possesses extensive expertise in key areas of agriculture and that sharing such valuable knowledge and experience would complement Ghana’s recent agricultural initiatives and further strengthen the country’s food security efforts.
The Ambassador made the remarks at the opening of the Second West Africa Agri Show and National Livestock Day in Accra, an annual event dedicated to promoting dialogue on agriculture in West Africa.
More than 100 agribusiness leaders, partners, government officials and industry players converged in Accra, where agribusinesses showcased their products and services to prospective partners and investors.
Mr Bhagat said the Government of India welcomed Ghana’s emphasis on strengthening domestic food production through initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Programme.
He noted that India was prepared to support Ghana through technology transfer, training and investment opportunities.
The Ambassador said India also had significant capacity in animal husbandry, including animal health services, vaccine production and veterinary care, which could be shared with Ghana.
While the Government facilitated and strengthened bilateral relations, the long-term success of such partnerships depended largely on the commitment of businesses and farmers, he added.
Mr Bhagat encouraged Indian businesses to establish long-term partnerships with their Ghanaian counterparts to ensure that local value addition, skills transfer and job creation remained central to their ventures.
He also advised Ghanaian businesses to explore opportunities in India’s agricultural technology, industrial equipment and markets, and to participate in regional agricultural and food-processing exhibitions organised in India.
Mr Bhagat reaffirmed the Indian High Commission’s commitment to facilitating strategic partnerships and supporting enterprises from both countries.
Ghana and India have enjoyed longstanding cooperation spanning more than five decades, dating back to the tenure of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Presently, bilateral trade between the two countries stands at five billion dollars annually.
Mr Alqama Arif, Chief Executive Officer of Azalix Business Media, a business consulting firm and publishing company, said the event provided an opportunity for agribusinesses to showcase their products and services to potential customers and partners.
He said Azalix sought to connect global markets with local farmers by introducing modern technologies to the West African market, particularly Ghana.
Mr Sampson Ahi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, called for stronger regional agricultural cooperation to address Africa’s food insecurity challenges.
“No single government, no single company and no single nation can secure food for our growing populations alone. We can succeed only when we work together with a clear purpose and mutual respect,” he said.
Mr Ahi said under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, the Government had placed agriculture at the centre of its economic transformation agenda.
He noted that the Government viewed agriculture as the engine of industrialisation, the driver of the 24-hour economy, and the anchor of the nation’s shared prosperity.
He disclosed that the Government was creating an enabling investment environment and reviewing tariffs on agro-processing machinery to attract investment and increase productivity.