Mahama Launches Ambitious FEED Ghana Programme To Revolutionize Agriculture And Slash $2B Food Import Bill

/ President John Mahama Launches Ambitious FEED Ghana Programme to Revolutionize Agriculture and Slash $2B Food Import Bill

President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the FEED Ghana Programme, delivering on a major campaign promise from the 2024 elections. The initiative, which was unveiled on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Techiman, Bono East Region, seeks to modernize Ghana's agriculture, create employment, boost food security, and dramatically reduce the country's over $2 billion annual food import bill.

Mahama unveils FEED Ghana plan to transform agriculture and reduce Ghana’s $2B
annual food import bill.

As a flagship policy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the FEED Ghana Programme aims to serve as a transformative solution to some of the country’s most pressing challenges, including food inflation, agricultural underperformance, and youth unemployment.

Speaking at the launch event, President Mahama emphasized the strategic vision behind the programme, describing it as a “comprehensive development project” that will reposition agriculture as a driver of economic growth.

“Feed Ghana, locally called Yeridua, is a transformational initiative designed to curb the heavy reliance on food imports from neighbouring countries,” President Mahama said. “We are investing in controlled environment farming, greenhouse technology, and urban and peri-urban agriculture to make Ghana self-reliant in food production.”

He further urged senior high schools, local communities, and youth groups to actively participate in commercial farming, stressing the role agriculture can play in reducing unemployment and strengthening national resilience.

The FEED Ghana Programme is not a one-size-fits-all plan — it is a multi-dimensional framework encompassing several targeted agricultural initiatives. Among the key components are:

• Poultry Revitalisation Initiative (Nkoko Nkitinkitin): Aims to restore Ghana’s poultry industry and reduce dependency on imported chicken.

• Backyard and Community Gardens: Encourages food self-sufficiency at the household and community level.

• Grains and Legumes Development Project: Focuses on increasing the local production of maize, rice, soybeans, and cowpeas.

• District Farm Service Centres: To be established across all districts, providing farmers with access to quality seeds, fertilizers, farm machinery, extension services, and training.

• Agro-Production Enclaves: These designated areas will be equipped with irrigation systems, farm roads, warehousing, and logistics hubs to support large-scale farming.

Minister of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, described the initiative as a “strategic umbrella” for all future agricultural interventions by the Mahama-led administration.

“The FEED Ghana Programme represents a holistic strategy under which every agriculture-related project will be executed. It is designed not only to boost local production but also to stabilize food prices, improve farmer livelihoods, and create thousands of jobs,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday fulfilled yet another of his 2024 campaign promises, launching the FEED Ghana Programme, a flagship initiative to modernise and expand agriculture, to create jobs, reduce food inflation and strengthen food security.

The FEED Ghana…

— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) April 13, 2025

The introduction of FEED Ghana comes at a critical time when global food prices and import dependency continue to threaten Ghana's economic stability. The programme is expected to significantly reduce pressure on the cedi, lower food prices, and create sustainable livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians.

Economic analysts have praised the initiative, noting that if properly implemented, FEED Ghana could lead to a renaissance in Ghana's agricultural economy and transform rural communities into productive agro-industrial zones.

Following the launch, the government is expected to roll out the programme in phases, starting with high-priority districts. Extension officers and local assemblies are being mobilized to support implementation efforts and ensure farmers receive the necessary resources and training.

As Ghanaians look forward to tangible outcomes, all eyes will be on the Mahama administration to see how effectively the policy is translated into real change on the ground.