By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
President John Mahama has issued a clarion call for a transformative approach to agriculture in the nation during his powerful address at the opening of the Ghana Horticultural Expo 2025.
Speaking to a crowd of stakeholders, he emphasized the need for collaboration among the development sector, financial institutions, and the private sector to revitalize Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
“Today, I’m not just addressing you as donors but as partners in progress,” he stated, urging financial institutions to “be bold” in supporting agribusiness startups. He specifically called on the Ghana Ex-Im Bank to act as a catalyst for growth in the export sector, saying, “We need real capital to fuel innovation and expansion.”
The President’s message resonated deeply with the youth and women, whom he encouraged to view agriculture not as a fallback option but as a viable and lucrative career choice. “Own it, live it and thrive in it,” he urged, inspiring a new generation to embrace the agricultural sector.
President Mahama also challenged the private sector to invest with vision, aligning efforts with government initiatives to enhance processing capabilities and export capacity. “Let us move from conferences to cold chains. Let us move from wares to warehouses. And let us move from policies to productivity,” he declared.
Reflecting on Ghana’s rich history, Mahama quoted the nation’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah: “Seek ye first the political kingdom.” He then pivoted to a modern mantra for economic growth: “Today I say to our exporters and to our nation, seek ye first the productive economy. Let us grow Ghana one fruit, one field, and one future at a time.”
Recognizing the vital role of farmers in this agricultural renaissance, he stated, “You are the backbone of this renewal.” He also acknowledged the youth as “the heartbeat of our ambition,” reinforcing the idea that their involvement is crucial for sustainable growth.
In closing, President Mahama declared with optimism, “To the world, Ghana is open for business, green, export-ready, and growing with purpose.” With this renewed spirit of partnership and hope, he officially opened the Ghana Horticultural Expo 2025, setting the stage for a brighter future in agriculture.
