Experts at the Innohub Agroecology Venture Accelerator Networking Event have advocated for policy support and sustainable funding for agroecology in the country.
They noted that agroecology – a sustainable farming approach that emphasises organic and environmentally friendly practices – is an area that has not received sufficient support.
As such, they called on government to intentionally invest in agroecology for food sovereignty and advocated for funding for farmers.
The experts and sector players including Chief Executive Officer-Songtaa Tietaa, Anita Sutha; Executive Director-Ropryn Company Limited, Prince Manu Yeboah; and Deputy Executive Director-Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development, Wilberforce Laate made these remarks advocating for agroecology as a sustainable approach for the agriculture sector.
Intentional policies and funding mechanisms, they noted, could help scale agroecological ventures, enabling farmers to adopt these practices on a larger scale and contribute to the nation’s agricultural resilience.
The Networking Event themed ‘Empowering Agroecological Ventures: Bridging Finance and Scaling Gaps for Sustainable Growth in Ghana’ seeks to promote agroecology, explore financing and growth opportunities, share success stories and foster networking among key stakeholders.
It brought together experts and stakeholders to advocate for sustainable farming practices and explore avenues for financing and scaling agroecological ventures.
Mr. Laate specifically raised concerns about the over dependence on fertilisers referencing the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, which he said lacks a comprehensive strategy to support sustainable agricultural practices like agroecology.
Other sector players on the panel encouraged farmers to practice agroecology and also highlighted the importance of embracing proper bookkeeping and financial management practices to improve their access to funding.
Accurate financial records, they explained, demonstrate transparency and build the confidence of investors and financial institutions, enhancing the farmers’ ability to secure loans and fostering sustainable business growth.
Programme Coordinator at Innohub, Marigold Larbie also advocated partnerships between stakeholders and sustainable agribusinesses and recommended providing incentives such as financial support and capacity-building training.
These measures, she believes, will foster a healthier environment, promote healthier food production and drive the agroecological sector’s long-term growth in Ghana.
By bringing together financial institutions, partners and stakeholders, the event fosters collaboration that advances sustainable agriculture in Ghana and empowers small-scale entrepreneurs to scale their operations.
Sustainable agriculture sector
Mr. Wilberforce Laate in an interview on the sidelines of the networking event expressed concern over lack of policy continuity in key sectors including agriculture, which he believes is undermining the country’s development efforts.
According to him, the constant shift in agricultural policies driven by changing political party agendas has significantly hindered long-term progress in the sector.
He emphasised that agriculture, as a critical sector of Ghana’s economy, requires a consistent, long-term approach that transcends political cycles.
“Party A comes with a policy and leaves, then Party B comes with another. There’s no continuity because they are focused on implementing what is in their manifestos, which are smaller than the country’s broader needs. Ghana is bigger than political manifestos, so why should we leave our development in the hands of political parties to decide the direction we should go? Agriculture policies should not be tied to manifestos,” he stated.
The call for policy continuity resonates with a broader need for governance reforms in the country, as many analysts argue that a well-defined national development framework could serve as a guiding document to ensure all governments, regardless of political affiliation, work toward common goals.
