Agricultural Research Scientist, Prof. Roger Kanton, has criticised Ghana’s agricultural strategy, describing many government-led initiatives as mere slogans lacking genuine commitment and effective implementation.
While acknowledging efforts by successive administrations — including the current government’s Feed Ghana Programme and the previous Planting for Food and Jobs (Phases I and II) and Rearing for Food and Jobs initiatives — Prof. Kanton argued that these programmes have largely failed to address the country’s core food security challenges.
Speaking during Channel One TV’s special analysis of President John Dramani Mahama’s first 120 days in office on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Prof. Kanton praised the president’s reviewable social contract as a “groundbreaking initiative” in governance. However, he was blunt in his assessment of the agricultural sector, which he said continues to suffer from systemic failures.
“Our challenge with agriculture is purely commitment. Agriculture is not rocket science. We have to do it right to turn things around. The thing is, we have done it before,” he said.
“So, why are we not getting things properly? There is a lot of sloganeering, rhetoric, and advocacy, but agriculture doesn’t like noise. It is not like gender issues and anti-corruption, you focus on producing, you don’t make noise there, and get the job done,” he added.
Prof. Kanton lamented that despite cocoa receiving considerable national attention and investment, staple food crops — which are vital to household food security — remain neglected.
“If you ask Ghanaians to prioritise agriculture, we have been doing it year after year, but cocoa has not even got to number 50, but cocoa is given such special attention. Cocoa’s attention is so high above the other crops. But who eats cocoa for food?” he asked.
He also expressed frustration over Ghana’s continued struggle with food self-sufficiency, despite the availability of highly qualified experts.
“We have the structures, we have one of the best scientists in agriculture who is are Ghanaians. If you don’t produce what you eat, who should produce for you to eat?” he questioned.
Mahama’s 120-day social contract a bold and noble step – Roger Kanton
