We're introducing measures to reduce post-harvest losses — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling post-harvest losses as part of efforts to strengthen food security and modernise Ghana’s agricultural sector.

According to agricultural experts, post-harvest losses remain one of the major obstacles to achieving food security in Ghana, with significant quantities of food lost between harvest and consumption due to inadequate storage, transportation and processing facilities.

Speaking during bilateral talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday, June 8, as part of his four-day official visit to Belarus, President Mahama said his government is implementing policies aimed at transforming agriculture into a technology-driven sector.

“Our vision is not merely to increase production, but to transform agriculture into a modern technology-driven sector that creates jobs, supports industrialization, strengthens food security, and improves livelihoods of our people across rural communities,” he said.

He added: “We're therefore implementing policies to increase productivity, expand irrigation, reduce post-harvest losses, promote agro-processing, and enhance value addition across the agricultural value chains.”

The President made the remarks after Ghana and Belarus signed three Memoranda of Understanding covering cooperation in trade and the economy, collaboration between their chambers of commerce, and agricultural development.

Mr. Mahama said the agreements would provide a practical framework for closer collaboration between the two countries and help unlock new opportunities for economic growth, investment and technological cooperation.

He noted that agriculture remains central to Ghana’s development agenda and identified Belarus as a key partner due to its expertise in agricultural mechanisation, farm technology, equipment manufacturing and agricultural research.

According to him, Ghana stands to benefit from strategic partnerships, technology transfer, skills development and investment from Belarus to improve agricultural productivity and food security.

Beyond agriculture, the President said both countries could deepen cooperation in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining support services, transport and logistics, technical and vocational education, renewable energy and industrial development.