Ghana is stepping up efforts to slash its palm oil import bill by an estimated $200 million annually, as it deepens ties with Chinese investors under a bold agricultural transformation agenda.
Speaking at the Chinese Lunar New Year Gala 2026 in Accra, Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku underscored that agriculture has become central to President John Dramani Mahama’s economic reset strategy. He stressed that the 2026 Budget positions the sector as a driver of industrialisation, export growth, job creation, and foreign exchange stability.
At the heart of the plan is the Integrated Oil Palm Development Programme (2026–2032), which seeks to cultivate 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and generate up to 250,000 jobs. The initiative is designed not only to boost domestic production but also to significantly cut reliance on imported palm oil.
Beyond oil palm, government interventions this year include 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 nationwide. Authorities are also expanding irrigation infrastructure and constructing dams in northern Ghana to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture.
Opoku revealed that Ghana is actively courting Chinese companies for joint ventures in irrigation systems, mechanisation, agro-processing, and machinery assembly. He made it clear the country is not seeking aid but strategic production partnerships.
“We are not seeking aid. We are building joint ventures,” he stated, urging investors to shift “from trade to production.”
With structured land banks available and access to the over 400 million-strong ECOWAS market, Ghana is positioning itself as a regional hub for agro-industrial growth and long-term investment in West Africa.
