The African Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS), a public policy think tank based in Accra, has pledged to closely monitor the government’s new agricultural reforms to ensure they translate into real results.

In a statement following the launch of the Feed Ghana Programme at Techiman on April 12, 2025, AISS said it will keep a “watchful eye” on how the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, led by Eric Opoku, implements the transformational strategies outlined by President John Dramani Mahama.

According to the Institute, the ambitious reforms could reposition Ghana as a leader in agricultural development within the sub-region in just four years, but only if implementation matches the promises.

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“Many brilliant ideas in agriculture have been written about and discussed in the past, with none ever being effectively implemented,” AISS cautioned.

“This time, AISS will be keeping a close eye on the Ministry twelve months from now and report on exactly what has been achieved and what is left to be done.”

At the Techiman launch, President Mahama unveiled sweeping interventions, including the promotion of SMART Agriculture, the establishment of Farmers’ Service Centres (FSCs) across farming districts, the development of land banks for agripreneurs, and a renewed push for institutional farming in schools, companies, and households.

Eric Opoku explained to AISS that the FSCs would function as business incubators offering mechanisation, processing facilities, storage, training, and technical support.

Specialised centres are also being designated for meat and poultry (Bechem, Ahafo Region), grains, cereals and nuts (Upper East and Ashanti Regions), fruits and vegetables (processing hub), and roots and tubers (cassava, yam, and plantain value addition).

The Minister also disclosed plans to establish a dairy processing centre at Amrahia, the site of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s first milk farm, to reduce reliance on imports. Additionally, strategies are being rolled out to boost the horticulture industry for both domestic consumption and export.

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While commending these interventions, AISS stressed that its focus is not merely on policy pronouncements but on measurable results.

“Ghanaians are often promised grand agricultural policies, but the missing link has always been consistent delivery. This time, AISS is determined to evaluate whether the rhetoric translates into reality,” the Institute noted.

AISS confirmed it will release its first comprehensive review of the Ministry’s performance under the Feed Ghana Programme in April 2026.

MA