Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced major investments in Ghana’s agriculture sector as part of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, pledging to strengthen food security, expand agro-industrial value chains, and transform the country’s oil palm industry into a key driver of economic growth.

Presenting the budget to Parliament, Dr Forson revealed that GH¢245 million has been allocated to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 2026 to support programmes aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring food self-sufficiency.

“Mr Speaker, to scale up food security and agro-industrial value chains covering Feed Ghana, grains and vegetables, and the Nkoko Nkitinkiti livestock programme, among others, we are providing GH¢245 million in 2026 to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,” he said.

Dr Forson also announced plans to revitalise the oil palm industry under the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development (2026–2032).

“To transform our ‘red gold’ into a true engine of rural prosperity, export growth, and job creation, we are establishing a dedicated GH¢6.9 billion Oil Palm Finance Window to support the implementation of the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development,” he told Parliament.

He explained that the initial phase of the programme, set to begin in 2026, will provide support for nurseries, out-grower schemes, land-bank activation, long-term crop financing, smallholder inclusion, and value addition through local processing.