Ghana Minute.
Monday, 15 June 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 15 June 2026
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Ghanaian press · Person

Eric Opoku

Also known as: Hon. Eric Opoku · Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku · Mr. Opoku · Mr Eric Opoku · Minister Eric Opoku · Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku · Albert Opoku · Mr. Albert Opoku

Minister for Food and Agriculture advocating for increased African agricultural investment and domestic rice production strengthening.

2026-04-302026-06-15
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026

  2. Business & Financial Times

    … Speaking at the symbolic inauguration of the facilities in Moglaa in the Savelugu municipality, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, described the project as a strategic intervention to enhance food security, increase farmers’ incomes and reduce poverty in the northe …

    Canada-backed GROW 2 irrigation project targets year-round farming in northern belt
  3. April 2026

  4. Business & Financial Times

    … Eric Opoku, delivered the keynote address, where he provided valuable insights into the agricultural sector and outlined government’s support for smallholder farmers. …

    PFAG holds its AGM to elect new national executives and commemorate its 20th anniversary celebration
Agriculture & Land

Ghanaian farmers demand immediate release of fertilizer subsidy funds

The News

Ghanaian farmers are urging the government to resolve a budget dispute between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and release funds for the national fertilizer subsidy programme to prevent agricultural collapse. Farming communities say prolonged administrative delays and a "bureaucratic deadlock" over GHc1.6 billion in funding claims have left them without essential inputs during the planting season.

Why it matters

Farmers' urgent demands for release of GHc1.6 billion in fertilizer subsidy funds amid bureaucratic deadlock threaten agricultural productivity during the critical planting season.

3 hours ago · The Chronicle →

Today

  1. Ghanaian farmers demand immediate release of fertilizer subsidy funds

    Ghanaian farmers are urging the government to resolve a budget dispute between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and release funds for the national fertilizer subsidy programme to prevent agricultural collapse. Farming communities say prolonged administrative delays and a "bureaucratic deadlock" over GHc1.6 billion in funding claims have left them without essential inputs during the planting season.

    3 hours ago · The Chronicle →

  2. NMTC Tepa admits 611 students, inaugurates Stakeholders Association

    The Tepa Nursing and Midwifery Training College has inaugurated its Stakeholders Association and admitted 611 out of 3,468 applicants for the 2025/2026 academic year across three programmes: 295 for Registered General Nursing, 170 for Registered Midwifery, and 146 for Nurse Assistant Clinical. The college reported a 91.5% pass rate for Registered Midwifery in the 2025 KNUST terminal examinations and recorded 76% pass rate for NAC, 67% for RGN, and 69% for RM in the recent Nursing and Midwifery Council Licensing Examination.

    4 hours ago · The Chronicle →

  3. More than 300 youth trained in farm machinery operation

    More than 300 young farmers from southern and middle belt communities completed a two-day training in the operation and maintenance of modern farm machinery, organised by BonAgro LOVOL in partnership with Weichai LOVOL Global and PanAfrica Savings and Loans to improve agricultural productivity and attract youth to farming.

    5 hours ago · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Mahama secures 1,840 agricultural equipment units from Belarus

    President John Dramani Mahama has secured a procurement arrangement with Belarus for the supply of 1,840 pieces of agricultural equipment, which he described as deepening economic ties between the two nations. At the first Belarus-Ghana Business Forum in Minsk, Mahama highlighted the complementary strengths of both economies and called for private sectors to forge lasting commercial partnerships.

    9 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Mahama signs three trade and agriculture MoUs with Belarus

    President John Mahama signed three Memoranda of Understanding with Belarus during a state visit, covering a Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, cooperation between the chambers of commerce, and enhanced agricultural collaboration. Mahama highlighted agriculture as a key area, citing opportunities in mechanisation, technology transfer, research, and investment.

    9 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Ghana launches AgriConnect Compact for jobs and food security

    The Government has launched the AgriConnect Compact, a national framework supported by the World Bank aimed at improving food security for nearly three million people and creating more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035 through increased agricultural investment and transformation. The first phase from 2026 to 2030 requires about US$3.5 billion in financing from government, development partners, and the private sector, and prioritises commodities including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry.

    9 June 2026 · Daily Guide →

  4. Ghana launches $3.5bn AgriConnect agriculture programme to 2030

    The government has launched the Ghana AgriConnect Compact, a major agricultural transformation programme expected to improve food security for nearly three million people and create more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035, requiring an estimated $3.5 billion for its first phase from 2026 to 2030.

    9 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

  5. Ghana and Belarus sign three cooperation agreements

    President Mahama held bilateral discussions with Belarusian President Lukashenko during a state visit, resulting in three Memoranda of Understanding covering trade and economic cooperation, enhanced collaboration between chambers of commerce, and agricultural cooperation.

    9 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 8 June

  1. Mahama, Lukashenko sign trade and agriculture pacts

    President John Dramani Mahama held bilateral discussions with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during a State Visit, culminating in three Memoranda of Understanding covering a Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Affairs, collaboration between the countries' Chambers of Commerce, and agricultural cooperation.

    8 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

  2. Finance Minister Ato Forson named Overall Best Performing Minister

    Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, has been named the Overall Best Performing Minister at the 6th Ghana Minister of the Year Awards, recognized for his distinguished service and performance at the Ministry of Finance. The awards ceremony, held in Accra, celebrated excellence in public service and impactful leadership in governance during the 2025 review period.

    8 June 2026 · Daily Guide →

  3. Finance Minister Ato Forson wins Ghana Minister of the Year 2025-2026

    Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Finance Minister, was adjudged Overall Best Minister of the Year 2025–2026 at the 6th Ghana Minister of the Year Awards held in Accra. Other ministers honoured included Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as Best Young Minister and John Abdulai Jinapor as Best Innovation Minister.

    8 June 2026 · The Chronicle →

  4. Mahama in Minsk for Ghana-Belarus economic cooperation talks

    President John Dramani Mahama is in Minsk for high-level bilateral talks with Belarusian President Aleksandr Grigorievich Lukashenko, with discussions focused on expanding cooperation in agriculture, trade, investment, technology transfer and industrial development. The visit includes signing of four Memoranda of Understanding and a Ghana-Belarus Business Forum.

    8 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 7 June

  1. Ghana launches AgriConnect Compact for food security and jobs

    Ghana, with World Bank and development partner support, has launched the AgriConnect Compact, a national framework to strengthen food security, create jobs, reduce food imports, and mobilize investment across priority agricultural value chains including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry. In its first phase (2026–2030), the Compact aims to improve food and nutrition security for an estimated 2.99 million people and support the creation of more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035, requiring estimated financing of about US$3.5 billion.

    7 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 5 June

  1. Ghana signs $1.5 billion AgriConnect Compact with World Bank

    Ghana has signed a $1.5 billion AgriConnect Compact with the World Bank, IFAD, IFC, and other development partners to transform its agriculture sector. The compact is expected to create more than 2.6 million jobs over five years while improving food security and strengthening agribusiness.

    5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Government to link rice imports to domestic production growth

    Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku announced plans to introduce an import quota policy that ties rice importers' permits to demonstrated partnerships with Ghanaian rice producers, aiming to boost local production, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen the domestic rice value chain.

    5 June 2026 · Daily Guide →

  3. Ghana launches AgriConnect Compact framework for food security and jobs

    The government, with World Bank Group support, has launched the AgriConnect Compact, a national framework aimed at strengthening food security, creating jobs, reducing food imports, and mobilising investment across priority agricultural value chains including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry. In its first phase from 2026 to 2030, the Compact targets improved food and nutrition security for an estimated 2.99 million people and the creation of more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035, with estimated financing needs of about US$3.5 billion.

    5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Ghana's agriculture minister calls for 10% African budget allocation

    Ghana's Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku has criticized low investment in African agriculture and urged governments to allocate at least 10 percent of annual budgets to the sector, noting that many countries currently provide less than one percent, two to three percent, or as little as 0.6 percent despite prior commitments under the Maputo and Kampala declarations.

    4 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Africa must capture more value in cocoa-chocolate industry

    Ghana's Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku says Africa produces about 70 percent of the world's cocoa beans but receives less than 5 percent of the value from the global chocolate industry, valued at approximately $129 billion, and called for structural transformation to move beyond exporting raw materials.

    4 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Agriculture can address Africa's youth unemployment crisis—minister

    Ghana's Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku has stressed that agriculture is a critical pathway to employment and economic growth in Africa, noting that between 10 and 12 million young Africans enter the labour market annually while only about three million formal jobs are created, leaving millions without meaningful opportunities and contributing to migration, instability, and conflict.

    4 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Vice President urges West Africa to develop rice as strategic economic asset

    Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang opened a two-day ECOWAS Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, calling on West Africa to view rice farming as a strategic economic asset focused on youth, incomes and economic resilience. She noted that the region spends more than $50 billion annually on food imports, with rice accounting for a significant portion, despite possessing fertile land, water resources and entrepreneurial farmers.

    3 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

  2. Africa must invest in agriculture to reduce food import reliance

    Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on African countries to take greater control of their food systems by investing strategically in agriculture, reducing dependence on food imports and strengthening regional cooperation. She noted that Africa spends more than US$50 billion annually on food imports despite having fertile land and abundant water resources, and stressed that transforming agriculture into a modern commercial industry is essential for job creation and economic growth.

    3 June 2026 · The Chronicle →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Government links rice import permits to local farm investment

    Ghana's government announced a new policy requiring rice importers to demonstrate verifiable partnerships with local rice producers before receiving import permits, aiming to accelerate progress toward self-sufficiency and reduce the import bill.

    2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Government establishes task-force to combat illegal rice imports

    The Agriculture Minister announced plans for an inter-ministerial taskforce to strengthen surveillance and enforcement against illegal rice importation through unauthorized border routes, citing the impact on local farmers and domestic production.

    2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 18 May

  1. Ghana's farmers losing livelihoods to cheap imports and failed seeds

    An investigative analysis argues that over five million Ghanaian smallholder farmers are being harmed by macroeconomic policies and institutional failures, including artificially cheap imported rice and maize flooding the market and defective hybrid seeds from the government's Feed Ghana Programme.

    18 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 15 May

  1. Ghana Minister of the Year Awards returns June 6 in Accra

    The 6th Ghana Minister of the Year Awards will be held at La Palm Beach Convention Centre in Accra on June 6, 2026, recognizing Ministers of State for measurable delivery in their portfolios. Six contenders have emerged following public nominations and performance assessments.

    15 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Acting Rent Commissioner links high student housing costs to prostitution

    Ghana's Acting Rent Commissioner Fredrick Opoku has accused some landlords and hostel operators of exploiting students through excessive accommodation charges, stating that rising hostel costs are pushing some students into prostitution to pay rent. The Rent Control Department is assessing hostel pricing following concerns from the National Union of Ghana Students over continuous fee increases.

    12 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Landlords face jail for removing tenants' roofs over rent

    Ghana's Acting Rent Commissioner Fredrick Opoku has warned landlords that removing a tenant's roof or forcibly ejecting occupants without due process over rent disputes is criminal and will result in prosecution and imprisonment. He said the Rent Control Department will not tolerate "self-evictions" and described such actions as violations of human rights.

    12 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 11 May

  1. HR Business Partners must align strategy with people strategy

    Deloitte Ghana's Head of People and Purpose says HR Business Partners play critical roles in aligning business strategy with people strategy to drive organisational success, and the function has evolved beyond traditional HR administration to serve as a key driver of business performance.

    11 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Over 5,000 agricultural graduates seek government recruitment

    A coalition of graduates from Ghana's agricultural colleges is pressing the government to approve recruitment for long-vacant positions, citing a backlog of more than 5,000 trained officers who have remained unemployed for up to seven years and weakening extension and veterinary services.

    7 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Government constructs 25 solar-powered boreholes in northern regions

    The government has constructed 25 modern solar-powered boreholes across selected districts in the five northern regions to boost vegetable production and improve dry-season agriculture. Valued at about GH¢8 million, the facilities are implemented under the GROW2 project and are expected to benefit women in more than 3,000 Savings and Loans Groups, with additional support including training, inputs and market access to complement the initiative.

    7 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Eric Opoku — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute