IFAD Launches Ghana Agriculture Plan to Create 2.6 Million Jobs

IFAD's involvement in the programme builds on a long-standing partnership with Ghana focused on improving agricultural productivity and strengthening rural livelihoods.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has reaffirmed its support for Ghana's agricultural transformation following the launch of the Ghana AgriConnect Compact, a major initiative designed to strengthen food systems, create jobs, and drive economic growth.

The programme brings together the Government of Ghana, the World Bank, IFAD, and other development partners in a coordinated effort to position agriculture as a key engine of national development. The initiative promotes a private sector-led approach backed by government support, with a focus on increasing investment and improving opportunities across the agricultural sector. IFAD Country Director for Ghana, Lakshmi Moola, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to reducing rural poverty while building more resilient and inclusive food systems that benefit farming communities across the country.

Focus on key value chains and food security

Agriculture remains one of Ghana's most important economic sectors, contributing around 22 percent of the country's gross domestic product, generating nearly a quarter of export earnings, and providing employment for approximately 38 percent of the workforce. Despite its importance, the sector continues to face challenges including limited access to finance, low productivity levels, climate-related risks, and difficulties connecting farmers to markets.

The AgriConnect Compact aims to address these barriers by supporting growth across several strategic agricultural value chains. Cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry have been identified as priority sectors, while additional support will be directed toward tree crops, fisheries, and the forest economy. By 2030, the initiative aims to improve food and nutrition security for nearly three million people while creating more than 2.6 million jobs across farming, processing, aggregation, distribution, and marketing activities.

Building on existing investments in rural development

IFAD's involvement in the programme builds on a long-standing partnership with Ghana focused on improving agricultural productivity and strengthening rural livelihoods. The organization is currently supporting several initiatives, including the Promoting Rural Opportunities, Sustainable Profits and Environmental Resilience (PROSPER) programme and the Affordable Agricultural Financing for Resilient Rural Development (AAFORD) project. IFAD is also preparing to co-finance the World Bank's Food Systems Resilience Programme.

Through these investments, IFAD continues to support smallholder farmers, rural businesses, farmer organizations, and agricultural value chains. The organization says expanding access to finance, improving market connections, and increasing resilience to climate change will remain central to efforts aimed at achieving inclusive rural transformation and long-term economic growth in Ghana.