• Ministries Kinbu Road, Accra, Ghana

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About Ministry Of Food & Agriculture

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture was established under Executive Instrument (E.I.) 28, 2017 and in conformity with the Civil Service Act. 1993 (PNDCL 327). The Ministry is responsible for the initiation, formulation, monitoring and evaluation of national policies and programmes aimed at improving agricultural production, food security, environmental sustainability and job creation within the sector.

MANDATE

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) is the lead government agency and focal point for the development of the agricultural sector. It is mandated to develop and execute policies, programs and strategies for the agricultural sector within the context of a coordinated national socio-economic growth and development agenda.

VISION

 “A modernized agriculture culminating in a structurally transformed economy and evident in food security, employment opportunities and reduced poverty”.

MISSION

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture exists to promote sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development, effective extension and other support services to producers, processors, distributors and consumers for improved food security, nutrition and incomes.

CORE VALUES

The values of the Ministry are

  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Team Work
  • Professionalism
  • Integrity
  • Creativity and Innovativeness
  • Gender Equity

FUNCTIONS

Section 13 of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (PNDC Law 327) states the following;

“A Ministry shall:

  1. Initiate and formulate policies, taking into account the needs and aspirations of the people;
  2. Undertake development planning in consultation with the National Development Planning Commission; and
  3. Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of the Sector”

Based on the above framework, the Ministry performs the following specific functions:

  • Initiate and formulate policies on agricultural development for the consideration of government.
  • Coordinate the implementation of agricultural sector policies and strategies.
  • Monitor and evaluate the implementation of agricultural sector policies and strategies.
  • Initiate the review/promulgation of legislations and regulations on agricultural programs.
  • Undertake research that may be necessary for the effective development and implementation of agricultural policies and programs.
  • Develop human resources policies to effectively promote professionalism and productivity within the sector.
  • Facilitate the interface with state and non state actors on matters relating to agricultural programs.
  • Provide strategic leadership for the development of the sector medium term plan in consultation with NDPC.
  • Coordinate the development and defense of the sector annual budget
  • Provide administrative and other support services for the effective performance of the sector.

OBJECTIVES

Agriculture in Ghana is recognised as the mainstay of the economy with a greater impact on poverty reduction than other sectors. It is also critical for rural development and associated cultural values, social stabilisation, environmental sustainability and buffer during economic shocks. Based on the role of agriculture in the national development framework, Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) has the following as its objectives:

  • Food security and emergency preparedness
  • Improved growth in incomes
  • Increased competitiveness and enhanced integration into domestic and international markets
  • Sustainable management of land and environment
  • Science and Technology Applied in food and agriculture development
  • Improved Institutional Coordination

POLICY OBJECTIVES

Based on the role of agriculture in the national development framework, the objectives for the food and agriculture sector policy are as follows:

  • Promote demand – driven approach to agricultural development
  • Ensure improved public investment
  •  Improve production efficiency and yield
  • Improve post-harvest management
  • Enhance the application of science, technology and innovation.
  • Promote agriculture as a viable business among the youth
  • Promoted livestock and poultry development for food security and income generation.

STRATEGY

Ghana’s agricultural strategy synthesises the government ‘s policy framework  and action plans for attaining self-sustained growth in all agricultural sub-sectors by annualizing the Medium Term Agricultural Sector Development Plan (METASIP 2010-2015), thus providing the vehicle for optimising agriculture and integrated rural development for the structural transformation for the socio-economic development of Ghana.

STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY

In keeping with the mandate of MoFA to ensure that the Ministry is well structured and adequately staffed to provide excellent services to its stakeholders and clients, the Ministry is structured as follows:

List of Directorates of the Ministry

  • Policy Planning, Budgeting Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (PPBMED)
  • Statistics, Research and Information Directorate (SRID)
  • Human Resource Development and Management (HRDM)
  • General Administration Directorate
  • Finance Directorate
  • Agricultural Engineering Services Directorate (AESD)
  • Animal Production Directorate (APD)
  • Directorate of Crop Services (DCS)
  • Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES)
  • Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD)
  • Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD)
  • Women in Agricultural Development Directorate (WIAD)

 

Specialized Units of the Ministry

  • Internal Audit
  • Public Relations Office(r)
  • Client Services Unit
  • Legal
  • Project Coordination Unit
  • The Office of the Alternate Permanent Representative (OAPR) to the UN

 Departments, Agencies and Commissions under the Ministry

The Ministry coordinates and supervises the agencies below. These agencies are categorised into i. Service Delivery, ii. Regulatory, iii. Training schools.  iv. Research Institutions. See details below;

  1. National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO)
  2. Ghana Cocoa Board
  3. Ghana Irrigation Development Authority
  4. Cotton Development Authority
  5. Grains and Legumes Development Board
  6. Tree Crop Development Authority
  7. Ghana Veterinary Council

The Agricultural sector consists of five main subsectors:

  • Crops: Cereals and Starchy Crops
  • Livestock: Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Poultry
  • Fisheries: Marine, Inland and Aquaculture
  • Forestry
  • Cocoa

However, Ghana Cocoa Board under the Ministry Of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is responsible for cocoa affairs in the country

The Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources has responsibility for the Forestry Commission, while the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is responsible for the fisheries sub-sector.

Agricultural Subsector Growth by GDP%

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