
Audio By Carbonatix
Agricultural policies championed by former Food and Agriculture Minister Dr Bryan Acheampong have resulted in an unprecedented food surplus across Ghana, forcing the government to announce emergency intervention measures. The bumper harvests, which industry observers directly attribute to Acheampong's aggressive expansion of the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative during his ministerial tenure, have created a glut of maize, rice, yams, and other staples that now threatens to overwhelm the nation's storage capacity.
Responding to the crisis of abundance, the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, announced on November 13, 2025, that President John Dramani Mahama has authorised the release of GH¢200 million to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO). Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement to Parliament, Dr Forson revealed that the funds will be used to purchase and store surplus food from farmers, helping to prevent waste and protect their livelihoods.
During his tenure as Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong strengthened the sector with bold reforms that transformed support for smallholder farmers. Under his leadership, the rollout of Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0 (PFJ 2.0) marked a major shift from simple subsidies to a fully modernised, private-sector-led input-credit system.
Through PFJ 2.0, farmers received subsidised fertiliser, improved seeds, mechanisation support, digital farmer registration, and structured market linkages, ensuring that inputs were not only accessible but tied to guaranteed off-take arrangements. His administration expanded technical extension services on an unprecedented scale, encouraging farmers to adopt climate-smart techniques and improve yields sustainably.
Farmers responded enthusiastically, dramatically increasing cultivated acreage and crop yields.
Mr Acheampong's vision of making Ghana self-sufficient in food production has materialised beyond expectations. The massive subsidies his ministry distributed transformed the nation from food vulnerability to abundance, though the current situation also highlights gaps in storage and marketing infrastructure that his policies did not fully address.
As Bryan Acheampong now campaigns for the NPP flagbearership, his agricultural legacy stands as one of his most tangible achievements. Political observers following the race have noted that the food surplus demonstrates the effectiveness of policies he championed, providing compelling evidence of his capacity to implement transformative policies. His supporters point to the agricultural transformation as validation of his leadership capabilities and vision for national development.
Latest Stories
-
NPP revises internal election guidelines to strengthen transparency and inclusiveness
32 minutes -
NACOC set to issue licences to qualified applicants for cannabis cultivation – Deputy Director-General
40 minutes -
Easter Outreach: Victory Bible Church offers free healthcare, NHIS support to hundreds
43 minutes -
NPP cannot pressure Mahama to sign a bill not yet received—Solomon Owusu
52 minutes -
MPs, institutions deepen support for Ghana Sports Fund with fresh contributions
59 minutes -
Four people die trying to board boat in Channel crossing attempt
1 hour -
Abirem MP announces GH₵500,000 education fund to support needy students
1 hour -
African stakeholders call for stronger ‘One Health’ action on climate and health crises
1 hour -
DVLA to commission 5 new service centres in Greater Accra
1 hour -
Agenda 111 and the right to health: A broken social contract
1 hour -
Bawa-Rock Ltd funds GH¢400,000 free surgeries for 102 vulnerable patients
1 hour -
Lambussie MP awards over GH¢200,000 in scholarships to students
1 hour -
Vice President expresses gratitude after double enstoolment in Volta Region
1 hour -
Beyond the Noise: Rebuilding trust in journalism in a digital age
1 hour -
I have to follow the law – CAF president tells Senegal regarding AFCON saga
2 hours