Long-term climate strategy for Ghana soon – Minister

The Government will soon outdoor a 25-year- Climate Resilient Agricultural Development Strategy for Ghana, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture has announced.

The 2025 -2050 strategy, which is being validated, he explained, would guide the country’s collective efforts to build resilience in order to live with the impacts of the climate crises, especially in the most vulnerable communities.

Dr Acheampong announced this at the 40th National Farmers’ Day Awards celebration, held in Accra, on Friday night.

This year’s celebration saw Nana Owusu Achiaw, a 70-year-old farmer based in the Sekyere-Central District, Ashanti Region, recognised as the 2024 National Best Farmer.

The commercial-scale mixed farming entrepreneur received GHS1 million as his prize, a category sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank.

He was recognised for his outstanding adherence to climate-smart agricultural and innovative practices.

The theme for the celebration is – “Building Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security.”

In the 2024 cropping season, eight regions in Ghana experienced the worst drought in 40 years, with small-scale farmers losing their crops, without insurance.

Dr Acheampong stated that the government was intensifying the promotion of climate-smart agricultural technology, including the introduction of drought-tolerant varieties, early maturing, and high-yielding to address the problem of dry spells.

In collaboration with research institutions, development partners and the private sector, the government is also working to increase access to improved crop varieties and breeds of livestock by farmers.

The Minister said the government was also promoting sustainable farming practices, including agroforestry, multiple cropping, conservation agriculture, and integrated pest management to boost productivity.

Dr Acheampong noted that expanding irrigation and sustainable water management systems, as well as access to sustainable water systems, was critical in building resilience to climate change and supporting all-year-round production.

Therefore, the Government, he said, had in the past eight years, expanded the area under public irrigation schemes from 11,000 hectares (Ha) in 2016 to 19,000 Ha in 2024.

“It is important to state that between 2023 and 2024 alone, about 7,000 hectares have been added. Farmer-led/private commercial schemes also increased from 189,000 hectares to 207,000 hectares between 2016 and 2023.”

The Minister stated that the government, through the Nationally Determined Contributions Action Project, had recently concluded a study to explore investment options for solar-powered irrigation systems for smallholder farmers to reduce the cost of irrigation.

It was also taking steps to strengthen the agricultural extension services to equip farmers with the latest information on climate-resilient practices.

“Our extension officers are being trained in new technologies and methods that help farmers make informed decisions about crop choices, planting times, and resource management,” he said.

Other award winners of the night are Nassam Fuseini, First Runner-up-National Best Farmer, who was also presented with a tractor, trailer, and sprayer; while Ransford Atiemo, National Best Farmer-Second Runner-up, also received a tractor with implements.

Others are Apostle Noah Obeng, the National Best Livestock Farmer; Stephen Addo, the National Best Physically-Challenged Farmer; and Ernestina Osei-Tutu, the National Best Female Farmer. They each received GHS200,000 as their prize.

Mensah Weibukanga emerged the Overall National Best Fisher, taking home a double cabin pick-up truck, while Ebenezer Dzikunu, National Best Fish Farmer; Victoria Atsa, National Best Fish Processor; and Christopher Ackom, National Best Marine Fisher, were also awarded for their efforts.

Nana Joojo Solomon emerged as the National Best Most Outstanding Personality for Sustainable Development of Artisanal Fishing, and received a double cabin truck, with Kwame Damoah, National Best Most Outstanding Fisheries Enforcement Officer, also taking home a double cabin Kia truck.

Kwame Alex, the National Best Cocoa Farmer, Solomon Tohola, National Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, Yaa Ajele, the National Best Most Enterprising Cocoa Farmer, Victor Benefo, the National Best Coffee Farmer, and Winifred Batabana, the National Best Sheanut Picker, were also decorated for their outstanding farming practices.