As the world confronts a looming global food crisis that jeopardises economies, cultures, and communities, Ghana finds itself at a crucial juncture in its history. With a proud heritage of indigenous crops and agricultural knowledge passed down through generations, the nation now faces the significant challenge of reliance on imported food, which is gradually eroding its food security and cultural heritage. How can Ghana reclaim its food sovereignty and protect its rich nutritional legacy in an era of increasing foreign competition?

A Critical Dialogue: The Intersection of Tradition and Innovation

On February 11th, Agriterra, a leading advocate for sustainable agriculture, brought together key policymakers, scientists, farmers, and industry leaders for the National Stakeholders Dinner Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Safety. The event was centred around the urgent theme, “Optimising Food Systems Transformation in Ghana: The Role of Indigenous Foods in Improving Food and Nutrition Security in Ghana.” This gathering sparked important discussions aimed at reshaping Ghana’s food systems to prioritize local production and sustainability.

Joseph Effah Ennin, a senior official from the Fishery Commission, set the tone for the evening by highlighting the pressing challenges facing Ghana. He emphasised the need to strengthen indigenous food production while ensuring food security for the population.

“Food security is not just about having enough food; it’s about preserving our heritage, supporting our farmers, and ensuring that every Ghanaian has access to nutritious, culturally relevant food,” Ennin stated. He urged policymakers to prioritise local agricultural production by implementing regulations that reduce unnecessary imports and protect Ghana’s rich food systems.

The Policy Roadmap

Ennin’s appeal for policy reform resonated deeply with the attendees. He called for the introduction of policies that would regulate and, in certain cases, ban imported food products that could be locally produced. This, he argued, would not only stimulate local agribusiness but also create employment and reduce the financial strain on Ghanaian households.

Sudhir Kumar a representative from Ecom, a company deeply invested in Ghana’s agricultural future, echoed this sentiment, stressing that Ghana’s indigenous foods must not only survive but thrive in the global marketplace. “We need to create an ecosystem where local foods can compete and excel on the world stage,” Kumar said.

Erwin Brauem, Agriterra’s Regional Manager for West Africa, further emphasized the potential of merging traditional farming practices with modern technological innovations.

 “Tonight’s dialogue marks a transformative step where we combine the wisdom of our ancestors with the potential of modern technology,” Brauem said. “It is an opportunity to reimagine Ghana’s food systems from the ground up.”

Reimagining Agriculture: The Role of Technology and Innovation

Dr Mavis Owureku-Asare, CEO of Impact Food Hub, was a transformative voice at the event, challenging the room with a thought-provoking question: “Why do we continue to rely so heavily on food imports when our soils are rich and our agricultural traditions are strong?” Dr Owureku-Asare articulated that outdated research and traditional agricultural practices hinder the potential of Ghana’s food systems.

“We need to adopt modern technologies like artificial intelligence and precision farming to not only boost our crop yields but also add value to our indigenous crops,” she explained. Her insights resonated with global trends, demonstrating that with the right technology, Ghana could drastically reduce post-harvest losses and open up new markets for local produce.

Voices from the Fields: Ghanaian Farmers’ Plea for Change

The dialogue naturally shifted to the voices that matter most: the farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation. Augustine Tetteh, President of the Akyemansa District Wine Flavor Cocoa Cooperative, shared candid reflections on the challenges faced by farmers in Ghana.

 “I’ve been farming since childhood, and though I’ve inherited my family’s knowledge of farming, today’s greatest challenge is the need to modernize our methods,” Tetteh said. “We must move beyond traditional tools like the cutlass and embrace mechanized methods to maximize our yields.”

Tetteh’s passionate plea highlighted the cultural divide between traditional and modern farming practices.

“We have the potential to produce world-class fine-flavour cocoa right here in Akyemansa, but only if we innovate,” he added.

Agriterra’s Role: A Catalyst for Sustainable Change

Agriterra, a global not-for-profit agri-agency with over 25 years of experience, is at the heart of this transformation. Through its commitment to empowering farmer organisations, Agriterra has consistently supported marginalized farming communities across Africa. In Ghana, Agriterra continues to spearhead initiatives that equip local farmers with the knowledge, tools, and networks they need to thrive in today’s competitive markets.

Erwin Brouwer, Agriterra’s Regional Manager for West Africa, captured the organization’s mission succinctly: “At Agriterra, we believe professional cooperatives are the engines of sustainable development. Our role is to provide local farmer organisations with the resources and expertise they need to flourish in the modern marketplace.”

Agriterra’s work in Ghana focuses on strengthening cooperatives, enhancing extension services, and fostering dialogue between farmers and government. This approach has already resulted in significant improvements for over 1 million farmers across Africa.

A Vision for the Future: Self-Reliance and National Pride

The message at the National Stakeholders Dinner Dialogue was clear: Ghana’s food systems must evolve to become more resilient and self-sufficient. By providing farmers with access to cutting-edge research, better seed varieties, and innovative processing techniques, Ghana has the potential to reduce its dependency on food imports and create a robust, sustainable food ecosystem.

A united approach—one that brings together government, private sector, farmers, and researchers will be essential in realizing this vision. The dialogue, which brought together diverse voices from across the food ecosystem, set the stage for a collective movement aimed at securing a food-secure future for all Ghanaians.

Cultivating Hope and Sustainability

Agriterra’s National Stakeholders Dinner Dialogue on Food & Nutrition Safety was not merely an event—it marked the beginning of a movement. The gathering reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to reimagine Ghana’s food systems and to ensure that future generations can rely on their indigenous crops for sustenance and nutrition. By embracing both tradition and innovation, Ghana can build a food-secure future where its people thrive, its farmers prosper, and its culture flourishes.

As the dialogue concluded, there was a shared sense of hope and determination, a recognition that the journey toward food security is not a distant dream but a present reality that can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and deep respect for Ghana’s agricultural heritage.