The Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed the government’s determination to protect Ghana’s land and water resources as part of efforts to strengthen agricultural production and cut down the country’s reliance on imported food.
She made this known after receiving a briefing from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on January 27, 2026, expressing satisfaction with the growing collaboration between the lands and agriculture sectors. She stressed that consistent access to water is critical to successful farming.
“I am pleased to see that you are working closely with the agriculture sector to ensure the availability of water whenever it is needed,” the Vice President said.
Referring to Ghana’s tropical climate, Professor Opoku-Agyemang noted that the country has the capacity to grow a wide variety of crops locally and should therefore be largely self-sufficient in food production.
“We live in the tropics, where almost everything can grow. At the very least, the food we consume should be produced here. It makes little sense for a tropical country to import the bulk of its food,” she stated.
While recognising that people have different dietary preferences, she stressed that the availability of locally produced staple foods must be protected.
“People may choose to eat other foods, and that is their right. However, those who prefer our staple foods should not be disadvantaged,” she added.
The Vice President assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to working collaboratively with all relevant institutions to achieve food security and ensure sustainable use of land and water resources.
She made the remarks during a working visit to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, where she engaged with management and staff on issues related to the ministry’s operations. She was accompanied by members of her team.
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