By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Government of Ghana is set to roll out a major agriculture-driven jobs initiative expected to create more than 500,000 employment opportunities nationwide, as part of a new strategy to transform the agricultural sector and boost inclusive economic growth.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the plan during a high-level meeting with the Regional Vice President for Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Ethiopis Tafara, in Washington, D.C.
The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between Ghana and the IFC to unlock new investments and support the country’s agricultural transformation agenda.
According to Dr. Forson, the government is finalising a comprehensive Oil Palm Plantation Policy, which will be presented in the 2026 Budget as part of a broader framework to develop key economic crops.
The initiative aims to harness the potential of these crops to generate large-scale employment across the entire value chain — from cultivation and processing to manufacturing and exports.
“The opportunities in economic crops are immense. With the right investment and strategic partnerships, Ghana can create over 500,000 jobs across the value chain”; he mentioned.
He explained that the government is engaging development partners including the World Bank and IFC to mobilise financing and promote private sector-led growth in agriculture.
The IFC’s Regional Vice President for Africa, Ethiopis Tafara, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to working with Ghana to achieve its development priorities, describing agriculture as a central driver of Africa’s economic resilience.
“Through collaboration with governments like Ghana’s, we can unlock private sector potential and create lasting impact,”
The initiative will complement ongoing national programmes aimed at improving productivity, promoting agro-industrialisation, and enhancing export competitiveness across Ghana’s key agricultural commodities.
