Ghana may face serious hunger in the next 15 years — Farmer warns

Former Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery and rice farmer, Kwame Awuah Darko

Former Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery and rice farmer, Kwame Awuah Darko, has raised alarm about Ghana's looming food security crisis if urgent action is not taken to prioritize agriculture.

In an interview with Nhyira FM, Mr. Awuah Darko stressed the need for deliberate government policies to boost food production.

He noted that the country's agricultural sector has been neglected for far too long, warning that the consequences could be severe.

“If we don’t change our ways, Ghana may face serious hunger in the next 15 years,” he cautioned. “This is because we consume more than we produce, and this trend must be reversed.”

Mr. Awuah Darko highlighted the challenges farmers face, including high import duties on farming equipment.

“I pay huge sums of money to import equipment for my rice farming and this is a definition of lack of encouragement,” he lamented.

The rice farmer, who employs over 150 youth on his farm, emphasized agriculture's potential to create jobs and drive economic growth.

However, he emphasised that this potential can only be realized if the government prioritizes and supports the sector.

As a leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Awuah Darko criticized the current government, arguing that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has failed to address pressing agricultural and economic issues.

He urged Ghanaians to consider voting for former President John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 elections, claiming Mahama has the experience and readiness to lead Ghana out of its current challenges.

“The country is in a miserable condition, and we don’t need a honeymoon. John Mahama will start work immediately because the country is dying,” he stated.