Agriculture-Led Growth: Ghana To Generate Half A Million Jobs

The Government of Ghana is getting ready to start a major jobs project centered on agriculture that could create over 500,000 job openings nationwide as part of a new plan to transform the sector and encourage inclusive economic growth.

At a high-level discussion with Ethiopis Tafara, Regional Vice President for Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in Washington, DC, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented the proposal.

The talks’ primary objective was to deepen Ghana’s relationship with the IFC in order to draw in additional capital and support for the country’s agricultural transformation initiative.

According to Dr. Forson, the government is completing a comprehensive Oil Palm Plantation Policy that will be incorporated into the 2026 Budget as part of a broader initiative to generate commercially viable crops.

The program aims to make the most of these commodities’ potential to generate substantial employment at all points along the value chain, from cultivation and processing to production and exports.

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“The opportunities in economic crops are immense. With the right investment and strategic partnerships, Ghana can create over 500,000 jobs across the value chain,” Dr. Forson said, adding that agriculture will be placed at the centre of the country’s economic transformation agenda”.

“The government is working closely with the World Bank, IFC, and other development partners to mobilize the funding needed to promote private sector-led growth in the industry,” he said, adding that the establishment of such large-scale plantations requires patient capital.

The initiative aligns with the declared goals of the IFC.

Mr. Tafara reiterated the organization is dedicated to collaborate with Ghana to address its development priorities, describing agriculture as a key pathway to harnessing Africa’s demographic dividend and creating sustainable employment.