President Mahama to break ground for first farmer service centre at Afram Plains 

President John Dramani Mahama will break ground this week for the first farmer service centre at Afram Plains, as part of a nationwide plan to establish 50 centres to support agricultural production.

He said the first phase would cover 11 centres, providing mechanisation services, extension support and training to farmers to boost productivity.

President Mahama made the announcement on Tuesday at the opening of the maiden Ghana Agricultural and Agro-Processing Industrial Technology Fair (Ghana AgroTech Fair 2026) underway at the Black Star Square.

“Farmers will be required to register with their local farmer service centres and get mechanisation support in terms of tractors, ploughing, harrowing, transporting fertilisers and shellers for processing their grains,” he said.

The three-day fair, being held from March 17 to 19 on the theme: “Transforming Agribusiness through Local Innovation and Technology,” is organised by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry in collaboration with the Ghana Export-Import Bank.

President Mahama said Ghana's agricultural transformation must respond to climate change, population growth and global competition through investment in technology, irrigation, and climate-smart farming.

He noted that a productive, technology-driven agricultural sector could ensure food security while driving exports and industrial growth.

“Food security and export growth are not competing objectives,” he said, adding that agriculture must be integrated into global value chains and powered by innovation.

The President urged stakeholders, including farmers, young people, researchers and investors to play their roles in modernising the sector.

He disclosed that scientists from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research had achieved yields of four to five tonnes of wheat per hectare on demonstration farms, a development that could help reduce Ghana's annual wheat import bill of about 400 million dollars.

President Mahama described the fair as a platform to connect institutions, promote local solutions and translate ideas into jobs and economic growth.

Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, announced that a national agribusiness policy was nearing Cabinet approval to provide a strategic framework for the sector.

She said the initiative aligned with national and continental development agendas, including the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union's Agenda 2063.

“We are creating the policy environment that rewards innovation, supports import substitution and opens export markets for Ghana-made agricultural solutions,” she said.

Mr Sylvester Adinam Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export-Import Bank, said the fair was both a showcase and a catalyst for building a strong export-led economy.

He emphasised that agriculture must extend beyond production to include processing, packaging, storage and export, while ensuring sustainability and inclusion.

The fair showcases locally developed machinery, agro-processing equipment, and digital solutions, with participation from manufacturers, startups, research institutions, farmers, and investors.

GNA