The African Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS), a public policy-oriented think tank based in Accra, has pledged to closely monitor the progress of the government’s newly launched agricultural initiatives and report on both achievements and gaps.

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

According to AISS, the ambitious reforms, if effectively executed, have the potential to reposition Ghana as a leader in agricultural development within the sub-region in just four years. However, the think tank stressed that its role would be to ensure accountability and transparency through evidence-based tracking of outcomes.

“Many brilliant ideas in agriculture have been written about and discussed in the past, with none ever being effectively implemented,” the statement read. “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 announced a raft of 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 new emphasis on institutional farming involving schools, companies, and households.

Read Also: AISS: A new era of agriculture?

Hon. Eric Opoku, in a conversation with AISS, explained that the FSCs would serve as business incubators providing mechanisation, processing facilities, storage, training, and technical support. Specific centres are being designated for meat and poultry (Bechem in the Ahafo Region), grains, cereals and nuts (Upper East and Ashanti Regions), fruits and vegetables (processing hub), and roots and tubers (with a focus on cassava, yams, and plantain value addition).

The Minister further disclosed plans to build a dairy processing centre at Amrahia, the site of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s first milk farm, to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported dairy products. He also outlined strategies to boost the horticulture industry for both local consumption and export.

Read Also: AISS commends government’s bold agricultural interventions

While commending these initiatives, AISS emphasised that its commitment is not just to acknowledge policy pronouncements but to measure their actual impact on farmers, food security, and the broader economy.

“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 said.

The think tank added that it will release its first comprehensive review of the Ministry’s performance under the Feed Ghana Programme in April 2026.