U.S. foreign aid is helping farmers in Ghana produce more crops during the country’s lean season. These efforts and contributions are helping to address food insecurity and grow the agriculture-based economy. Here is how U.S. aid in Ghana is helping to create measurable results for the country’s farmers. 

Ghana’s Agricultural Industry

Agriculture remains a major source of income for much of the Ghanaian population. In Ghana’s northern region, 90% of families rely on agricultural production as a means of support. However, inefficiencies and a lack of investment in the industry have led to limited production of food. 

The programs outlined below seek to reduce poverty in Ghana through improving technology and trade for Ghanaian farmers. So far, U.S. aid in Ghana has shown to be effective and impactful.

USAID Initiative

In June of 2023, USAID announced a $7 million donation to help farmers continue producing food during the lean season. This project would provide funding to more than 17,000 farmers between June and August. 

In partnering with both the World Food Program and Ghana’s government, USAID aims to promote the country’s agriculture industry and enhance the livelihoods of farmers. Alongside this initiative, USAID is working to help Ghana accomplish self-sufficiency through agricultural means. 

Feed the Future

USAID’s Feed the Future initiative focuses on boosting economic activity and growth in Ghana, providing resources and investment into the country’s agriculture industry. Feed the Future also aims to combat malnutrition, promoting the physical development of both the country and its people. 

Several goals of Feed the Future include raising profits for small farmers, facilitating agricultural trade on a regional and international level and providing nutrition for Ghana’s vulnerable populations. So far, Feed the Future has been able to provide technology and resources for more than 798,000 farmers in Ghana. 

World Food Program USA

In partnering with local farmers, the World Food Program USA (WFP) works to improve the efficiency and availability of food production technology in Ghana. WFP’s operations in Ghana also help to increase accessibility for essential staple foods, such as soybeans and corn. 

Along with this, WFP is also helping to open doors for economic development through agricultural trade. The program has been able to provide financial support for small farmers in Ghana through private-sector companies.

USDA and Agromovil

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service helps Ghanaian farmers connect with local and international buyers and sellers. These efforts have boosted Ghana’s economy and improved the lives of small farmers within the country. 

In June of 2023, USDA announced a partnership that would help to break down trade barriers and facilitate economic activity for Ghanaian farmers: Collaboration with an app called Agromovil would allow farmers to enter into a wider range of local and international markets. 

The app connects farmers with potential buyers, creating countless opportunities for agricultural workers. Agromovil increases the visibility of small farmers and ensures the increased trade of agricultural products. So far, the app has generated more than $3.5 million in sales for its users.

Agromovil has also helped close the gap between male and female farmers, providing equal access and opportunity to all farmers in Ghana. More than half the app’s users are young or female, providing a platform for underrepresented, diverse populations. 

What’s Ahead?

Looking at the success of these programs, it is clear that U.S. aid in Ghana is helping to build a self-sufficient, agriculturally-driven economy by creating opportunities for small farmers. The impacts of these programs directly benefit Ghana’s population as a whole, addressing issues of poverty and food insecurity. With these initiatives and investments in the country’s most important sector, the future looks brighter for Ghana’s economic development. 

– Mary Burke
Photo: Flickr