Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has launched the government’s new flagship initiative, the Feed Ghana Programme (FGP), to boost food security, reduce import dependency, and promote agro-industrial growth.

Speaking at the 2025 World Food Day celebration held at the forecourt of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Minister said the programme is designed to accelerate productivity, create jobs for youth and women, and ensure self-sufficiency in food and nutrition.

This year’s event, which coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), was celebrated under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.”

It was attended by Ministers of state, development partners, and representatives from FAO, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations.

Mr. Opoku announced that over 350,000 farmers have already benefited from improved seeds, fertilisers, and irrigation support.

The Poultry Farm-to-Table Project is producing over 6 million birds annually, while the Nkoko Nketenkete Programme supports 60,000 households with backyard poultry to reduce Ghana’s poultry imports, estimated at US$400 million yearly.

He also highlighted the establishment of Farmer Service Centres nationwide, the expansion of irrigation facilities, and the creation of 70,000 farmer-based cooperatives to strengthen market access and fair pricing.

The Minister commended FAO and other partners for supporting youth training in digital and climate-smart agriculture, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to align the Feed Ghana Programme with FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative to attract investment and modernise the sector.

Mr. Opoku concluded by urging all stakeholders — government, private sector, civil society, and farmers — to work “hand in hand” to ensure a food-secure and self-sufficient Ghana.