The Government of Ghana has launched an initiative aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on imported vegetables while boosting local production and creating jobs.

The Vegetable Development Project, unveiled by President John Dramani Mahama in Kukuom, Ahafo Region, seeks to expand domestic cultivation of tomatoes, onions, peppers, and other essential vegetables.

Speaking at the launch, President Mahama said the project has been designed to be completed within 12 months and will play a pivotal role in strengthening Ghana’s food security.

"Farmers involved have begun receiving substantial support in the form of improved seeds, organic fertiliser, agronomic training, and digital advisory services. A committed buyer has been introduced to secure predictable markets for all the farmers’ produce. Additionally, a modern packhouse will be constructed to handle the grading, the sorting, the packaging, and the cold chain management of all the vegetables that are produced,” he said.

He added, “The entire project has been carefully designed to be completed within 12 months. This vegetable development project will be replicated in many other parts of the country, especially in the north, where water availability is a major challenge at many times of the year.”

President Mahama explained that the project is part of the broader Feed Ghana 2025–2028 agenda, which seeks to restore food security and strengthen agro-industrial capacity. “Under this project, government is scaling up the production of strategic commodities such as rice, maize, soybeans, vegetables, cassava, poultry, and cashews,” he said.

He also highlighted the nationwide benefits of the project. “The project will strengthen food security, support farmers, and reduce the nation’s vegetable import bill,” he said.

On government interventions to support farmers, he said:
“We're establishing farmer service centers to provide mechanisation service, input supply, repairs, and extension support. We're expanding and modernising irrigation infrastructure nationwide. We're developing commodity-focused cooperatives to strengthen smallholder participation in the value chains.”

He added, “We're supporting youth and women through targeted initiatives such as backyard poultry and entry point livelihood support programs. We're improving storage, marketing, and agro-processing capacity to reduce post-harvest losses, and we're enhancing market linkages, including institutional off-takers, processors, hotels, and major supermarket chains. Through these efforts, we're laying the foundation for a 24-hour agricultural economy, an economy that is powered by technology, reliable markets, and continuous production cycles.”

On the potential of the vegetable industry, President Mahama highlighted its importance to agriculture and the economy:

“The vegetable sub-sector offers some of the highest returns in agriculture. It is labor-intensive, it has short cropping cycles, it supports rapid income generation, and provides healthy food options for our population," he said.

Speaking on the government’s interventions to strengthen the vegetable value chain, President Mahama outlined the specific measures planned under the Vegetable Development Program:

“Under the vegetable development program, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture will introduce climate-smart technologies, improve seed varieties, sustainable irrigation management techniques, structured marketing arrangements, including guaranteed off-takes, cold chain and packhouse infrastructure, capacity building for women-led businesses and youth entrepreneurs, and linkages to processing industries to promote value addition,” he added.

Highlighting the broader impact of the Vegetable Development Project, President Mahama emphasised the benefits for households and the economy:

“When we strengthen the vegetable value chain, we strengthen household nutrition, we create jobs, we reduce imports, and we increase farmers' incomes. This is the vision that is driving today's economy,” he stressed.

President John Dramani Mahama praised the Ahafo Region for its leadership in agriculture, highlighting its role in driving innovation and sustainable production.

“The Ahafo region continues to display exemplary leadership in agriculture. From staple foods to high-value horticulture, the region is emerging as a hub for innovation, sustainability, and commercial-scale production.

The solar-powered irrigation facilities we are establishing here in Kukuom will expand dry season production, strengthen farmers' cooperatives, supply markets across the country, create employment opportunities for young people, improve household incomes, and position the Ahafo region as a major contributor to our national vegetable supply chain.”