On May 15, 2025, the Adentan Municipal Assembly became the first in the Greater Accra Region to benefit from the Feed Ghana Programme. Orchestrated by the Agriculture Department in collaboration with the Information Service Department of the Assembly and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the event was attended by notable dignitaries including Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. John Dumelo; National Coordinator, Mr. Bright Demordzi; Head of Agriculture Unit, Mrs. Rosemond Adjaoda; Information Officer, Mrs. Evelyn Ludu; and representatives from the Ministry alongside local farmers and media personnel.
This came from a backdrop when the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, officially briefed the media on the Feed Ghana Programme (FGP)—a nationwide initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and creating employment opportunities. He revealed that the programme would be officially launched by President John Dramani Mahama on April 12, 2025, in Techiman, Bono East Region.
During the event, Mr. Samuel Huntor, the ministry’s public relations officer, underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of farmers. He announced the new ‘Yeridua’ project for high schools and encouraged farmers to form alliances of at least 15 members—complete with bank details and Ghana cards—to participate in the initiative. Additionally, he disclosed plans to distribute over 400 bags of fertilizer free of charge to farmers in the municipality.
Local farmers expressed their gratitude for the government initiative while highlighting ongoing challenges. They cited issues including developer encroachment and the unlawful seizure of farmlands, the destruction of irrigation facilities, pest infestations, and disputes over cattle rearing, rampant sand winning, and a shortage of modern farm equipment such as tractors and power tillers. Concerns over the welfare of elderly farmers were also raised.
In response, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Hon. John Dumelo, assured farmers that the government is prepared to reclaim lands acquired unlawfully through the ORAL initiative and restore them for agricultural use. He added that plans are underway to provide essential farm equipment to reduce labor intensity and to establish dedicated Farm Service Centers catering to the needs of farmers in the Adentan constituency.
Mr. Bright Demordzi, National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, stressed the importance of cooperative efforts. “Our goal is to empower farmers and enhance food production. We encourage the formation of cooperatives, as this strengthens their position for government support,” he said. He also advised farmers to adopt crop rotation practices as a strategy to mitigate pest problems, specifically noting that changing crops can help prevent ‘Army Worm’ attacks on maize.
Farmers who received the donated fertilizer welcomed the intervention, expressing hope that additional challenges—including access to land and modern farming tools—would soon be addressed.
SOURCE: ISD, ADENTAN
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