A DOCUMENTATION OF GHANA’S REGIONAL AGRICULTURE SECTOR: COMPAILED BY ABBAELFAMILIAR.ORG

OVERVIEW

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, contributing about 19–20% of GDP and employing nearly 33–40% of the labor force (mostly in rural areas). It is vital for food security, rural livelihoods, and foreign exchange earnings.

Ghana has strong potential in agribusiness, agro-processing, and exports. Diversification beyond cocoa (into rice, cashew, fruits, and aquaculture) is a national priority. With investment in irrigation, mechanization, and value addition, agriculture can become a bigger driver of industrialization, jobs, and export diversification.

AGRICULTURE POTENTIAL OF EACH REGION

Ghana has 16 regions with potential for agricultural activities.

Namely:

  1. Greater Accra Region
  2. Ashanti Region
  3. Western Region
  4. Western North Region
  5. Central Region
  6. Eastern Region
  7. Volta Region
  8. Oti Region
  9. Northern Region
  10. North East Region
  11. Savannah Region
  12. Upper East Region
  13. Upper West Region
  14. Bono Region
  15. Bono East Region
  16. Ahafo Region

Some of the regions with notable agricultural potential include ¹:

  1. Upper East Region: Suitable for rainfed rice production, soybean, maize, sorghum, millet, groundnuts, and cowpea
  2. Northern Region: Ideal for maize, sorghum, millet, groundnuts, cowpea, and rice production
  3. Savannah Region: Supports crops like maize, sorghum, millet, groundnuts, and soybeans
  4. Transition Zone: Suitable for crops like maize, cassava, plantain, and cocoa
  5. Deciduous Zone: Crops like oil palm, maize, cassava, and cocoa can be grown

Other regions with agricultural potential are:

  1. Western Region: Known for cocoa production
  2. Ashanti Region: Suitable for cocoa, maize, and cassava production
  3. Greater Accra Region: Has potential for vegetable production and livestock farming
  4. Bono East Region: Supports cocoa farming and other crops
  5. Ahafo Region: Known for cocoa and maize production

Some specific crops grown in various regions include:

  1. Maize: Grows well in the Guinea Savannah, Transition, and Deciduous zones
  2. Cassava: Grows well in various regions, including West Akim and Afram Plains
  3. Cocoa: Suitable for the Deciduous and Transition zones
  4. Oil Palm: Found in regions like Kwaebibirem and West Akim

These regions offer a range of agricultural opportunities, from staple crops to cash crops, and livestock production

The Volta Region in Ghana is a significant area surrounding Lake Volta, the world’s largest artificial reservoir by surface area. Located west of the Republic of Togo and east of Lake Volta, the region boasts a diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage.

Volta Region

Economic & Agricultural Overview

Key Features of the Volta Region:

  1. Lake Volta: A massive reservoir with a surface area of approximately 8,502 square kilometers, supporting fishing, transportation, and tourism industries.
  2. Dodi Island: A popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and eco-tourism potential, with the Volta River Authority investing $2.5 million in developing its infrastructure.
  3. Digya National Park: Situated on the western shore of Lake Volta, offering opportunities for wildlife exploration and conservation.
  4. Cultural Significance: Home to various ethnic groups, including the Ewe and Guan people, showcasing a blend of traditional and modern cultures.

Economic Activities:

  1. Fishing Industry: Supports a large population of fishermen, although concerns have been raised about child labor practices in the industry.
  2. Tourism: Offers opportunities for sightseeing, boat cruises, and exploration of the region’s natural beauty.
  3. Hydroelectric Power: The Akosombo Dam generates substantial electricity for Ghana and neighboring countries ¹ ².

Challenges:

  1. Flooding and Displacement: Periodic flooding due to dam spillage has led to displacement of communities and concerns about compensation and resettlement.
  2. Environmental Concerns: The lake’s ecosystem is vulnerable to changes in water levels, affecting fish populations and the overall environment ³ ⁴.

Agriculture in The Volta Region, Ghana

  1. Crops and Farming Highlights

Staple and Cash Crops

The Volta Region supports a wide variety of crops. Key staples include cassava, yam, maize, rice, sorghum, plantain, cocoyam, cowpea, soyabean, and groundnut.

Cash crops and fruits like cocoa, coffee, citrus, oil palm, pineapple, cashew, coconut, pawpaw, water-melon, mango, tiger nuts, ginger, and sugar cane are grown across various districts

District-by-District Crop Distribution

Rice: Extensive cultivation in areas such as Ketu North, Hohoe, North/South Tongu, among others, with rice production exceeding 50% of national output in some years.

Other Crops: Cocoa and coffee in Hohoe, Jasikan, Kadjebi; vegetables across all districts; mango and pineapple in select zones

Modernization Goals

The region aims to become Ghana’s top maize producer and build on its rice production legacy, with efforts to introduce modern farming techniques and attract investors

  1. Livestock and Fisheries

Animal Rearing

Many households engage in subsistence livestock farming: cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, and even ostrich are reared, though mostly on a small scale.

Fisheries and Inland Water Resources

Given its proximity to the Volta River, Lake Volta, creeks, and lagoons, the region has strong potential for freshwater fishing—supporting tilapia, shrimp, and other species

  1. Horticulture & Innovations

Horticultural Exports

Mango, pineapple, papaya, and fresh chili are increasingly grown for export. A Mango Growers Association (VOMAGA) in Fodzoku is leveraging ICT tools like GPS and soil-testing kits to improve yield and meet export certification requirements.

Shallots & Tomatoes

Anloga District stands out for producing a large volume of shallots and tomatoes, creating opportunities for agro-processing and agribusiness investments

  1. Sustainability and Climate Challenges

Climate Impacts

Erratic rainfall, soil erosion, pest infestations, and water scarcity are serious concerns that threaten crop yields and food security

Agroecology & Sustainable Farming

Local farmers and NGOs are promoting eco-friendly farming methods through agroecology initiatives. These efforts aim to reduce reliance on chemicals, safeguard land health, and improve climate resilience.

Value Chain Development

Regional leaders advocate turning agricultural by-products into value-added products—for example, transforming rice residues into animal feed—to reinforce food systems and support livestock farming.

  1. Cultural Significance

Festivals Celebrating Harvest

Agricultural heritage thrives through festivals like:

  1. Asogli Te Za (Yam Festival) in Ho, celebrating yam cultivation among the Ewe people.
  2. Amu Festival (Rice Festival) among the Avatime in Ho West, marking brown rice harvests

Greater Accra Region:

Economic & Agricultural Overview

  1. General Economic Overview

Capital: Accra (also the capital city of Ghana).

Economic Role: The Greater Accra Region is the smallest by land size but the most urbanized and economically vibrant region in Ghana.

Main Drivers:

  1. Commerce and trade (Accra is Ghana’s business hub).
  2. Real estate and construction.
  3. Finance, insurance, and banking.
  4. Transport, port services, and logistics (Tema is Ghana’s largest seaport).
  5. Tourism and hospitality (beaches, forts, cultural heritage sites).

Industrial Areas: Tema Industrial Area, Spintex Road, and North Industrial Area (housing manufacturing, processing, and service industries).

Contribution to Ghana’s Economy:

  1. Highest GDP per capita in Ghana.
  2. Contributes heavily to services sector (banking, IT, education, and health).
  3. Major center for imports and exports through Tema Harbour and Kotoka International Airport.
  1. Agriculture in Greater Accra

Land Use: The region is the most urbanized, so agriculture is less dominant compared to other regions, but peri-urban and rural fringes still support farming.

Key Agricultural Activities:

  1. Crop Farming:Maize, cassava, yam, sweet potatoes, vegetables (tomatoes, okra, pepper, garden eggs), fruits (mangoes, pawpaw, citrus).
  2. Horticulture:Flowers and ornamental plants for both local and export markets.
  3. Livestock:Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry production.
  4. Fishing:Very significant due to the coastal location. Accra, Tema, and surrounding fishing communities (like Chorkor, Nungua, and Ada) supply a large portion of Ghana’s fish.
  5. Aquaculture:Increasing fish farming, especially tilapia and catfish, around reservoirs and rivers (like the Volta near Ada).
  6. Challenges in Agriculture
  7. Rapid urbanization reducing available farmland.
  8. Encroachment on agricultural land for housing and industrial purposes.
  9. Limited irrigation—farming is largely rain-fed.
  10. Post-harvest losses due to weak storage and market systems.
  1. Opportunities for Growth
  2. Expansion of aquaculture and fish processing.
  3. Urban and peri-urban vegetable farming (using irrigation and greenhouse systems).
  4. Agro-processing industries to add value to crops (cassava flour, fruit juices, fish processing).
  5. Agribusiness investments to meet the food demand of Accra’s growing population.

Summary:

The Greater Accra Region is Ghana’s economic powerhouse, dominated by trade, services, industry, and port activities. Agriculture, though not the primary economic activity, remains important in rural fringes and along the coast, focusing mainly on fishing, vegetables, and livestock production. Urbanization poses challenges but also creates opportunities for agribusiness, urban farming, and aquaculture.

Ashanti Region:

Economic & Agricultural Overview

  1. General Economic Overview

Capital: Kumasi (the “Garden City” and Ghana’s second-largest city).

Economic Role:

  1. One of Ghana’s most economically influential regions, rich in natural resources and culture.
  2. A major hub for trade, craft, and transport—Kumasi is a central trading point linking the north and south of Ghana.

 

 

 

Main Economic Drivers:

  1. Mining:Ashanti is world-famous for gold production (Obuasi, Konongo, Tarkwa-Ashanti belt).  AngloGold Ashanti is one of the largest gold mining companies in the world.
  2. Timber & Forestry:Dense forest reserves provide timber, wood products, and non-timber forest resources.
  3. Commerce & Trade:Kejetia Market (Kumasi) is one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa.
  4. Industry & Manufacturing: Wood processing, textiles, beverages, crafts (notably Kente weaving from Bonwire), ceramics, and food processing.
  5. Tourism:Cultural heritage (Manhyia Palace, Lake Bosomtwe, cultural festivals, crafts villages).

 

  1. Agriculture in Ashanti Region

Agriculture is a key backbone of the regional economy, employing a large proportion of the population.

Crops Grown:

  1. Cash Crops:Cocoa (major producer in Ghana), oil palm, and citrus.
  2. Food Crops:Plantain, cassava, maize, yam, cocoyam, rice, vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, garden eggs).
  3. Livestock:Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry are reared, mostly in peri-urban and rural communities.
  4. Fishing:Inland fishing is important in rivers and Lake Bosomtwe; some aquaculture activities (tilapia and catfish).
  5. Agroforestry:Cultivation of cocoa within forest zones is a major land-use system.

 

  1. Challenges in Agriculture
    1. Deforestation and illegal mining (galamsey) threatening fertile lands and water bodies.
    2. Post-harvest losses due to poor storage and marketing channels.
    3. Reliance on rain-fed agriculture with limited irrigation.
    4. Pressure from population growth and urbanization around Kumasi reducing farmlands.

 

  1. Opportunities for Growth
  2. Cocoa value addition: Expanding processing of cocoa into chocolate, beverages, and cosmetics.
  3. Agro-processing industries: Plantain flour, cassava starch, palm oil, and fruit juice processing.
  4. Commercial poultry and livestock: Meeting high demand in Kumasi and beyond.
  5. Eco-tourism and agri-tourism: Combining cultural heritage with farm-based tourism.
  6. Aquaculture development: Utilizing inland waters for tilapia and catfish farming.

Summary:

The Ashanti Region is Ghana’s golden region, both literally (gold mining) and figuratively (a powerhouse in trade, culture, and agriculture). While gold and timber dominate the economy, cocoa and food crop farming remain essential for livelihoods. With Kumasi as a central market hub, agriculture in Ashanti has strong commercial potential, but challenges like deforestation, illegal mining, and post-harvest losses need attention.

Western Region:

Economic & Agricultural Overview

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