Agric Minister Launches GAFET to Transform Agricultural Education in Ghana

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku has launched the Ghana Agricultural Fund for Educational Transformation (GAFET), an initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural education, research and skills development to support Ghana’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Speaking during the launch, the Minister insisted, GAFET is not merely another funding programme but represents a collective national effort to build institutions capable of producing the skilled workforce needed to transform the agricultural sector.
“This programme is not merely another launch but building on institution with collective commitment that will outlive all of us and serve generations unborn,” the Minister stated.

He said the initiative would support the development of agricultural engineers, extension professionals, researchers, technicians, entrepreneurs and agribusiness leaders to make Ghana’s agricultural sector more productive and competitive.
The Minister noted that the transformation of agriculture goes beyond roads and mechanisation, stressing the need for investment in irrigation, finance, machinery, research and human capital.

He explained that GAFET seeks to enhance food production, modernise farming, strengthen mechanisation, expand irrigation, promote agro-processing, reduce dependence on food imports, increase exports and create sustainable jobs, particularly for young people in agribusiness.

The Minister also stressed the importance of strengthening Ghana’s agricultural colleges, saying these institutions have for decades produced professionals whose expertise and technological knowledge underpin modern agriculture.
However, he acknowledged that many of the institutions require renewed investment in laboratories, workshops, demonstration farms, modern machinery, digital learning tools, research, scholarships and industry-responsive curricula.

He therefore reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the institutions to attain their rightful place in Ghana’s agricultural transformation.
According to him, the GAFET fund will provide a dedicated national platform through which government, the private sector, development partners, financial institutions and citizens can collectively invest in agricultural education and sustainable agribusiness.

The Minister commended Mr. Steven Nhyira Odarteifio and Hon. Kwesi Etu Bonde, for their efforts in bringing the vision to life.

He called on all stakeholders to support the initiative, emphasising that national development is a shared responsibility.
“Government cannot do it alone; government must lead, society must build. National development is a shared responsibility,” he said.

In wrapping up Hon. Opoku commended the five Ghanaian based agribusiness namely , GrowForMe, FarmerLine Ltd, New age, Agrisolve Consult and Tradeline Consult for providing Ghc 3.5 million as seed fund for the GAFET initiative. The fund he said is expected to reach Ghc 10 million by December 2026 and Ghc 100 million by the year 2028.

By Maurice Otoo