Ghana has invited Chinese investors to partner in its large-scale agricultural transformation agenda as part of efforts to reset the economy.

Speaking at the Chinese Lunar New Year Gala 2026 in Accra, Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku said agriculture is now at the centre of Ghana’s economic strategy under President John Dramani Mahama.

He explained that the 2026 Budget positions agriculture as a key driver of industrialisation, export growth, job creation and foreign exchange stability.

As part of this year’s interventions, the government is distributing:

• 31,000 metric tonnes of rice seed
• 4,388 metric tonnes of maize seed
• 2,791 metric tonnes of soybean seed
• 272,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser

Ghana is also expanding irrigation by developing thousands of hectares of irrigated land and constructing dams in northern Ghana to reduce reliance on rain-fed farming.

The Minister outlined investment opportunities for Chinese companies in irrigation systems, farm mechanisation, agro-processing, machinery assembly and agro-industrial zones.

A key initiative is the Integrated Oil Palm Development Programme (2026–2032), which seeks to develop 100,000 hectares of plantations, create 250,000 jobs and cut palm oil imports by US$200 million annually.

Ghana is offering structured land banks and inviting investment in plantation development, processing, refining and export-oriented agriculture.

“We are not seeking aid. We are building joint ventures,” the Minister said, urging investors to move “from trade to production.”

With access to the ECOWAS market of more than 400 million people, Ghana is positioning itself as a regional agricultural and industrial hub for West Africa.