Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed that the government has released 85 percent of the approved 2026 budget for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Ghana, in a major push to boost food production and strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the launch of the Ghana National Pact for Agriculture and Economic Transformation Food Security and Employment (AGRICONNECT) Compact in Accra, Mr. Nyarko Ampem stated, “I am pleased to confirm that we have released GH¢1.677 billion, representing 85 percent of the approved 2026 Budget for Goods and Services and CAPEX for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.”
He explained that the funds are being directed into key priority areas, including mechanisation, irrigation, input supply and value chain development, as part of efforts to accelerate productivity and improve food security.
Breaking down the allocations, he indicated that GH¢581.4 million has been earmarked for the establishment of 50 Farmer Service Centres to support mechanisation and boost productivity. Irrigation projects across the country are also set to receive GH¢110 million.
Additionally, GH¢515.3 million has been allocated for the supply of fertilisers and certified seeds to farmers, while GH¢244.9 million will support the Poultry Farm-to-Table Project, popularly known as Nkoko Nkitinkiti. A further GH¢200 million is being invested through the National Food Buffer Stock Company to enhance produce distribution and trading.
Mr. Nyarko Ampem stressed that agriculture remains central to Ghana’s economic transformation agenda, warning against continued dependence on food imports.
“We are determined to move agriculture ‘from subsistence to scale, from production to productivity, and from farming to agribusiness.’”
He further explained that the interventions form part of a broader fiscal strategy to reposition agriculture as a commercially viable sector capable of absorbing a significant portion of the country’s youthful labour force.
According to him, government is aligning budgetary releases with priority value-chain projects to ensure efficiency and impact.
“We are deliberately aligning budgetary releases with priority value-chain projects to ensure that ‘every cedi released translates directly into measurable output, reduced import dependence, and improved rural incomes.’”
He emphasised a shift in government focus toward results-driven spending and accountability.
“We are no longer interested in budget approvals that sit on paper. The focus now is execution, impact and accountability. Agriculture must pay, and it must pay sustainably for our farmers and for the economy,” he emphasised.
The Deputy Minister also disclosed that the Ministry of Finance is working closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems.
He noted that a digital tracking system is being rolled out to monitor the disbursement and utilisation of agricultural funds, particularly at the district level, to reduce leakages and improve transparency.
The AGRICONNECT Compact event brought together policymakers, development partners, agribusiness leaders and farmer-based organisations, all of whom underscored the need for sustained collaboration to achieve food security and economic transformation.
