The Competitive African Rice Platform (CARP Ghana), a multi-stakeholder platform representing the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, has held its General Assembly meeting in Tamale to deliberate on strategies for revitalising Ghana’s rice sector.
The meeting, supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), brought together rice producers, processors, input dealers, civil society organisations, government agencies, and other key stakeholders. It was held on the theme: “Building Resilience and Competitiveness in Ghana’s Rice Value Chain Amid Market and Cost Pressures.”
Mr Mohammed Habib Abdulai, National Coordinator of CARP Ghana, said the meeting aimed to strengthen coordination among rice value chain actors and provide a framework for collective action. He explained that its key objectives included the presentation and adoption of the CARP Ghana constitution, information sharing and decision-making on key sectoral issues, as well as capacity building through workshops and networking sessions.
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He noted that the Assembly sought to enhance transparency, inclusivity, and shared ownership of decisions among stakeholders while promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration to drive the growth of Ghana’s rice industry.
Dr Betty Annan, Country Director of AGRA Ghana, commended CARP Ghana for creating a platform that fostered alignment and partnership across the rice value chain. She said AGRA was proud to support the establishment of CARP Ghana, emphasising that collaboration was crucial to achieving a resilient and competitive rice sector.
The establishment of CARP Ghana is a remarkable achievement that reflects the growing recognition that collaboration and alignment are essential to building a resilient and competitive rice industry. AGRA remains deeply committed to Ghana’s rice agenda through investments in climate-smart and high-yielding rice varieties that empower farmers and enhance productivity,” Dr Annan stated.
She also highlighted AGRA’s continued support for the “Eat Ghana Rice” campaign, which promotes local rice consumption, strengthens markets, and drives demand for domestically produced rice. Dr Annan reaffirmed AGRA’s commitment to work with the government, the private sector, and development partners to help Ghana achieve rice self-sufficiency.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was delivered on his behalf, lauded the initiative of CARP Ghana and its partners, describing the rice sector as a critical pillar of Ghana’s food security and economic development.
“Rice is not merely a staple food; it is a cornerstone of food security, a source of livelihood for millions, and a catalyst for economic growth. However, the full potential of our local rice value chain remains underutilised,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to use the General Assembly as a platform to develop actionable strategies that address sectoral challenges and promote innovation, collaboration, and resilience.
Mr John reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the rice value chain through initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Project and the National Rice Development Strategy II, which aim to improve productivity, strengthen market systems, and boost private sector investment.
