Ghana targets $200m palm oil import reduction through expanded China Agricultural partnerships

Ghana is intensifying efforts to reduce its palm oil import bill by an estimated $200 million each year as it strengthens partnerships with Chinese investors under a renewed agricultural transformation drive.

Speaking at the Chinese Lunar New Year Gala 2026 in Accra, Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku said agriculture now occupies a central place in President John Dramani Mahama’s economic reset agenda. He explained that the 2026 Budget identifies the sector as a key engine for industrialisation, export expansion, job creation and foreign exchange stability.

A major pillar of the strategy is the Integrated Oil Palm Development Programme, covering 2026 to 2032, which aims to establish 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and create up to 250,000 jobs. The programme is expected to increase domestic output while significantly cutting the country’s dependence on imported palm oil.

The Minister also outlined other interventions planned for the year, including the distribution of 31,000 metric tonnes of rice seed, 4,388 metric tonnes of maize seed, 2,791 metric tonnes of soybean seed and 272,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to farmers across the country. In addition, government is expanding irrigation facilities and constructing dams in northern Ghana to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture.

Mr Opoku disclosed that Ghana is engaging Chinese firms for joint ventures in irrigation development, farm mechanisation, agro processing and machinery assembly. He emphasised that the country is seeking strategic production partnerships rather than donor support.

“We are not seeking aid. We are building joint ventures,” he said, urging investors to transition “from trade to production.”

With organised land banks and access to the more than 400 million strong ECOWAS market, Ghana is positioning itself as a regional centre for agro industrial expansion and sustained investment in West Africa.