President John Dramani Mahama has emphasised the importance of innovation and technology in repositioning Ghana’s agricultural sector as a key engine for economic growth and national development.

Addressing participants as special guest at the opening of the Ghana AgroTech Fair 2026, held under the theme “Transforming Agribusiness through Local Innovation and Technology,” the President said such platforms serve a broader purpose beyond exhibitions, by linking critical sectors of the economy.

He noted that events of this nature help bridge the gap between ideas and enterprise, research and industry, as well as innovation and investment, ultimately shifting agriculture from mere subsistence to a sector driven by productivity, opportunity and prosperity.

President Mahama observed that the fair comes at a pivotal moment in Ghana’s development, particularly as agriculture across Africa continues to be viewed largely through the lens of vulnerability and small-scale farming.

He argued that, when properly structured, the sector holds immense potential to drive transformation across the continent.

He further stressed that agriculture should not be limited to cultivation alone, but must be recognised for its wider contribution to value addition, industrialisation, job creation and export growth, with technology and innovation playing an increasingly central role.

The President also underscored the need to modernise the entire agricultural value chain—from production through processing to logistics, packaging and global marketing—to fully unlock the sector’s potential.

He commended the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness, the Ghana Export-Import Bank and other partners for organising the event, describing it as a vital platform for advancing agribusiness and technological development in Ghana.