By Angela Lawer
Ghana took center stage in shaping Africa’s agricultural future as it hosted the First Anniversary Symposium of the Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP) Africa Chapter, spotlighting powerful partnerships, innovation, and policy leadership to drive sustainable agro-transformation across the continent.
Held under the theme “AgriUnity: Empowering Sustainable Agriculture in Africa,” the two-day symposium in Accra attracted delegates from across the globe—Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Europe, the U.S., and several African countries—demonstrating a growing international consensus on agriculture as a lever for development, food security, and economic growth.
Agriculture as an Engine of Growth
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. John Setor Dumelo, emphasized Ghana’s firm commitment to agricultural transformation. He noted that agribusiness is not only a vital driver of economic growth but also a key source of livelihoods and entrepreneurship opportunities.
“Ghana offers compelling investment potential in key crops such as cocoa, cassava, and oil palm,” Mr. Dumelo said. “We are supporting this vision through targeted policies and programs that ensure food security and open doors for innovation and growth.”
Partnerships and Market Readiness
Mr. Kwame Oppong Ntim, Director for Agribusiness at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Agribusiness, represented the sector minister and underscored the government’s push for partnerships to unlock the sector’s economic potential.
He outlined initiatives such as contract farming models, agro-processing industrial zones, streamlined regulatory systems, and structured training programs aimed at building resilient regional markets and empowering smallholder farmers.
“Mentorship, capacity building, and knowledge sharing must guide young agripreneurs into leadership roles,” Mr. Oppong Ntim urged.
Financing the Future
Dr. S.A.-Ad Iddrisu, Economic Advisor to the Finance Minister, called for robust public-private partnerships (PPPs) to co-invest in agriculture, while advocating for credit access through low-interest financial instruments to stimulate investment and productivity.
“We welcome all actors—private sector, civil society, and development partners—to collaborate on financing models that drive meaningful agricultural change,” Dr. Iddrisu said.
The ISP Vision: Professionalism and Policy Impact
Representing ISP’s global leadership, Mr. Rajindran Irusan, Chief Executive at ISP Malaysia, praised ISP Africa’s growing role in shaping policy, enhancing skills, and expanding professional networks within the continent’s planting industry.
“With chapters in Africa and Asia, ISP is creating a knowledge bridge—equipping professionals with technical expertise, research insights, and industry opportunities,” he said.
Dr. Shermal Perera, Chairman of ISP Africa, urged attendees to turn lessons from the symposium into lasting opportunities, while Ghana Chapter Chairman, Mr. Chris Foli, advocated a shift toward producing affordable processed food through commercial training and enterprise.
A Global Gathering, A Continental Mission
The symposium reinforced Ghana’s status as a hub for agricultural discourse and transformation. With over 6,000 members globally, the ISP’s engagement in Africa marks a significant commitment to uniting practitioners, investors, and policymakers in transforming agriculture into a vehicle of prosperity and resilience.
