I attended the opening of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, held in connection with the World Food Prize, alongside Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, H.E. Victor Smith, and my chief of staff, Hon. Alex Segbefia.
The event brings together global leaders and experts to deliberate on critical issues of food security, because we recognize that global food security is a cornerstone of global peace. In an increasingly complex and fast-changing world, the discussions remind us that achieving food security is central to sustainable development and stability.
Hon. Eric Opoku participated in the panel titled “From Policy to Progress: A Diplomatic Legacy," where he restated Ghana’s commitment to self-reliance in food production.
Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, agriculture remains the pivot of Ghana’s economic transformation. Flagship initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Program and the 24-Hour Economy Policy are designed to stimulate productivity, enhance value addition, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
The Government of Ghana is fully committed to creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive in agriculture. This includes fostering a symbiotic relationship between agricultural production and agro-processing, ensuring that value chains generate jobs and drive inclusive economic growth.
Additionally, Ghana's doors are open to strategic and equitable partnerships in key areas such as soil science, post-harvest loss reduction, and the processing of key export crops such as cocoa, shea nuts, and cashew. Ghana aims to add value, improve farmers’ incomes, and secure long-term sustainability in the agricultural sector.
The discussions at the Dialogue reinforced Ghana’s position as a committed partner in global food security efforts, determined to harness agriculture as a tool for economic empowerment and peace-building.