Agriculture has long been the backbone of Ghana’s economy, yet an alarming trend is emerging—Ghanaian youth are increasingly uninterested in farming.
This growing apathy has serious economic consequences, particularly as the country grapples with rising inflation, unemployment, and food insecurity.
But beyond the challenges, agriculture presents untapped opportunities that could transform the economy and create sustainable jobs for young people.
Food inflation
Ghana’s inflation remains a major concern, with food prices driving much of the increase. Recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service shows that food inflation hit 27.8% in December 2023, significantly contributing to overall inflation, which stood at 23.2%.
The sharp rise in food prices is partly due to the country’s heavy reliance on imported agricultural products.
Ghana continues to spend millions of dollars importing staple foods such as rice, wheat, poultry, and vegetable oil.
According to the Bank of Ghana, the country spent over $1.3 billion on food imports in 2022 alone, putting pressure on the cedi and making food even more expensive for Ghanaians. With better agricultural investment and local production, Ghana could reduce its reliance on imports and stabilize food prices.
Youth unemployment and potential of agric
Unemployment remains a major issue in Ghana, particularly among young people. Recent statistics indicate that 14.7% of Ghana’s labor force is unemployed, with youth unemployment even higher. Yet, agriculture, which employs over 30% of Ghana’s workforce, remains largely ignored by young people despite its potential to provide stable incomes and economic opportunities.
One major reason for this is the perception that farming is a low-status, labor-intensive job meant for the poor or uneducated. Many young people view agriculture through the lens of smallholder farmers who struggle with low productivity, lack of mechanization, and poor market access. This negative image has discouraged many from exploring careers in the sector.
How Ghana is losing out to neighboring countries
Ghana’s failure to tap into its agricultural potential has allowed neighboring countries like Burkina Faso to dominate key markets. Today, a large percentage of the onions and tomatoes sold in Ghanaian markets come from Burkina Faso. Even after factoring in production costs, transportation, and cross-border trade expenses, Burkinabe farmers still make profits in Ghana.
The question then arises: If farmers from Burkina Faso can produce and sell these crops profitably in Ghana, why can’t Ghanaian farmers do the same? The answer lies in poor investment in irrigation, lack of structured market systems, and inadequate financial support for agriculture.
The Irrigation Problem: Why Agriculture is a High-Risk Venture
A major reason for Ghana’s agricultural underperformance is its over-reliance on rain-fed farming. Without proper irrigation systems, many farmers cannot cultivate crops all year round, making agriculture a risky venture that financial institutions are reluctant to support.
As of 2023, only 2% of Ghana’s total cultivated land is under irrigation, according to the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority. This is a significant challenge, as climate change continues to affect rainfall patterns. Without a serious investment in irrigation, agriculture will remain unattractive to both youth and investors.
Learning from history: How Acheampong made agric attractive
One of the most successful agricultural initiatives in Ghana’s history was Operation Feed Yourself, led by Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in the 1970s.
With the help of Colonel P.K. Barnasko, Acheampong implemented policies that encouraged local food production, making agriculture a central part of national development.
The initiative provided incentives for farmers, improved access to inputs, and promoted self-sufficiency in food production.
If similar policies were revived with modern technologies and private sector involvement, Ghana could significantly boost agricultural productivity and attract more youth to the sector.
Bridging the knowledge gap in agric
Another issue preventing youth from entering agriculture is the lack of knowledge and training. Unlike other industries where entrepreneurs take time to research before starting a business, many people enter agriculture blindly. They assume that if uneducated, peasant farmers can succeed, then anyone can farm—leading to high failure rates among young farmers.
Agricultural training programs, mentorship schemes, and school farms should be reintroduced to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in farming.
Regulating agric resources: The case of poultry manure
Ghana has several untapped agricultural resources that could make farming more cost-effective. One such resource is poultry manure, which is a cheaper and more effective alternative to inorganic fertilizers. However, poultry manure is currently being exported to Ivory Coast in large quantities with little regulation.
By properly managing and utilizing poultry manure locally, Ghanaian farmers could significantly cut down on fertilizer costs, making local food production more profitable and competitive.
Role of schools and local authorities
The absence of school and community farms has further widened the gap between young people and agriculture. The Ministry of Education and district assemblies should take steps to reintegrate farming into the education system. This would not only provide practical agricultural training but also shift the negative perception of farming as a career.
Path forward
Ghana’s youth must recognize the vast opportunities that exist in agriculture. However, for this to happen, the government, financial institutions, and private sector must invest in making agriculture attractive, profitable, and sustainable. This means investing in irrigation, structured market systems, knowledge transfer, and innovative policies that make farming a viable career choice.
If Ghana fails to act now, the consequences will be dire—not just for food security but for employment, inflation, and economic stability. The time to invest in agriculture is now.