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Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for increased investment in agriculture and the development of resilient food systems as a means of addressing rising food prices and strengthening food security across West Africa.
Speaking during an investment roundtable on the theme “Mobilizing Transformational Capital to Support Africa’s Rice Agenda,” the Vice President noted that countries in the region continue to face significant economic pressures resulting from imported inflation, supply chain disruptions, and exchange rate volatility, all of which have contributed to higher food prices.
She explained that these challenges underscore the need for governments and stakeholders to prioritise sustainable food production and agricultural development.
“Ghana has experienced imported inflation, supply chain challenges and exchange rate volatilities which affect food prices. Within these challenges, we have to build resilient food systems, industrialise agriculture and strengthen regional trade under the AfCFTA,” she stated.
According to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, accelerating agricultural industrialisation and enhancing regional trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area are critical steps toward reducing dependence on food imports and improving food availability across the region.
She also highlighted the importance of expanding investment in rice production and value addition, stressing that a stronger rice sector would help West African countries meet increasing consumer demand while creating employment opportunities and improving livelihoods.
The Vice President further appealed to governments, development partners, financial institutions, and both local and international investors to mobilise transformational capital to support the region’s rice industry.
She described such investments as essential for achieving food self-sufficiency, enhancing economic resilience, and promoting sustainable growth across West Africa.
The roundtable brought together policymakers, investors, financial institutions, and key industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for unlocking investment and accelerating the development of the region’s rice value chain.
Source:Omanghana.com
