In a recent revelation, Bismark Nortey, Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association, disclosed that Ghanaian farmers received no government support in 2023, despite a Ministry of Food and Agriculture budget exceeding GH₵2 billion.
Speaking on JoyNews’ “The Probe” on Sunday, November 10, Mr. Nortey explained that the original “Planting for Food and Jobs” (PFJ) program concluded in 2022. This cessation came as the former sector minister shifted focus toward other ambitions. The newly appointed minister introduced a revamped PFJ 2.0, but its rollout took an entire year to plan and execute. Consequently, Ghanaian farmers were left without essential subsidies and farm input supplies throughout 2023.
“What that meant is that in 2023, farmers across the country did not receive any form of support from the government—be it subsidy or supply of any input. However, that same year, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture had an allocation of more than 2 billion Ghana cedis,” Mr. Nortey emphasized.
He voiced concerns over the rising production costs for farmers, who faced these challenges without any tangible relief from the government. Mr. Nortey raised a pressing question: “If such a significant budget was allocated to the Ministry, yet farmers received no direct benefit, one must question how those funds were utilized.”
He further highlighted the daily struggles of Ghanaian farmers, which extend beyond financial issues. Climate change impacts, the destruction of arable land from illegal mining, limited access to necessary farm inputs, and the lack of progress in agricultural mechanization are all obstacles farmers face. Additionally, Nortey pointed out that certain ineffective government policies exacerbate these challenges, hindering the growth of the agricultural sector.
These pressing issues, Nortey argues, underscore the urgent need for the government to step up with reliable, actionable support to sustain and drive development in Ghana’s agricultural sector.