President John Dramani Mahama has lauded Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, describing him as one of the most impactful leaders to have served in that role. He made the remark in Kukuom during the launch of a new vegetable development initiative aimed at boosting food production and strengthening national food security.
President Mahama said the current agricultural programmes are helping farmers expand their livelihoods while reducing the country’s reliance on imported food. He highlighted the role Mr Opoku has played in driving these reforms.
Eric Opoku, who is also the MP for Asunafo South, has been leading a number of major projects under the Feed Ghana Programme introduced in April 2025. The initiative seeks to increase local food production, stabilise prices, promote agro-processing and support job creation, especially for the youth.
A key component is the YƐREDUA Vegetable Development Project, which encourages vegetable farming through greenhouse technology, irrigation and support for growers in cities, towns and rural communities. Vegetable nurseries are also being set up across the country to help families grow food at home.
The Minister’s attention has also focused on revitalising the poultry industry. Interventions include the Nkoko Nketenkete backyard poultry project targeting women and young people, and efforts to expand commercial poultry production under a “Farm-to-Table” model. Thousands of households have already received birds, and more investments are being directed into agro-industrial facilities such as a new soya processing plant in the North to support feed production.
Irrigation expansion, dam rehabilitation and institutional farming support for schools and security agencies are among the other reforms rolled out to raise production and reduce post-harvest losses.
At the same ceremony in Kukuom, President Mahama cut the sod for the construction of a meat and chicken processing centre at Bechem in the Ahafo Region. The project, also championed by Minister Opoku, is expected to strengthen Ghana’s poultry value chain and increase the use of locally produced meat.
The President said these developments reflect a clear shift in Ghana’s agricultural sector from small-scale subsistence farming to a stronger industrialised system that supports food security, empowers farmers and creates economic opportunities across the value chain.