Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku Touts Record Low Inflation Amid Parliamentary Calls for EOCO Probe into Poultry Program

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has announced a historic milestone in Ghana's economy, with Minister Eric Opoku reporting that food inflation has dropped below four percent. This decline is attributed to deliberate government investments and strategic policy implementation rather than mere chance. To sustain this momentum and protect domestic food security against rising global costs, the government has distributed nearly 500,000 bags of free fertilizer to peasant farmers, who constitute 80% of the farming community. These interventions come at a time when the ministry is also overseeing the near-completion of major irrigation projects in the Kwahu Afram Plains, including the Ekyeamamfrom and Konadu sites, which are intended to year-round farming and reduce the nation's $3 billion food import bill.

Despite these reported successes, the ministry faces intense scrutiny over the management of the state-funded 'Nkoko Nkitinkiti' poultry program. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has officially urged the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate beneficiaries who allegedly consumed the birds provided for rearing instead of using them to enhance local production. The call for an investigation follows remarks by Minister Opoku himself regarding the misuse of the program's resources. Afenyo-Markin emphasized that such misuse of public funds demands strict accountability to ensure that initiatives aimed at boosting livelihoods are not undermined by lack of oversight.

In tandem with these developments, MoFA is undergoing a significant physical transformation through a GH¢1.068 million corporate sponsorship from 3TREES Ghana Painting Ltd. Part of the 'Brighten Ghana Initiative,' this partnership will see the complete exterior renovation of the ministry's national headquarters at no cost to the taxpayer. The Minister has used this collaboration as a call to action for other corporate entities to support the upcoming 42nd National Farmers’ Day. He highlighted that fostering strong private-sector partnerships is essential for infrastructure development and sustainable growth within the agricultural sector.

Looking toward long-term stability, a recent study titled 'Youth in Just Food Systems Transitions' has recommended the establishment of a bipartisan food systems policy to ensure continuity across different political administrations. The study, presented at a forum in Tamale, revealed that while 40% of Ghana's youth are active in the food value chain, they continue to face significant income disparities and barriers to resource access. The findings advocate for agroecological farming, climate-resilient infrastructure, and a reduction in political interference to empower young agricultural entrepreneurs and secure the future of Ghana's food systems.