Ghana’s government has reinforced its commitment to transforming agriculture through private-sector partnerships, with a sharp focus on large-scale commercial farming, mechanisation and value addition.

At the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) Grand Challenge Workshop in Accra, the Chief Commercial Manager at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Kofi Addo, stressed that collaborating with private sector players was key to scaling up Ghana’s agricultural industry.

"We cannot rely on smallholder farming alone. To drive real growth, we need large-scale operators managing at least 5,000 hectares of farmland. The government is committed to providing key inputs and mechanisation support to accelerate this shift," Mr Addo declared.

His remarks came in response to concerns raised by industry players at the workshop regarding the challenges local farmers faced, including limited access to finance, inadequate mechanisation and supply chain inefficiencies.

Modern farming and innovation
Highlighting the role of technology and investment in boosting productivity, the Country Director of Demeter Ghana and Chair of the UKGCC Agribusiness Sector Committee, William Hunt, called for a strategic shift towards modern farming techniques.

William Hunt, Country Director of Demeter Ghana and Chair of UKGCC’s Agribusiness Sector Committee

"Ghana’s agriculture sector has enormous potential but we need the right policies, funding and partnerships to close the yield gap. Investing in mechanisation, irrigation and reliable supply chains will be critical to achieving a resilient and competitive agribusiness ecosystem," he noted.

He emphasised the need for a new generation of commercially viable farm funds to ensure that farmers have access to the capital, technology and expertise needed to scale up operations and tap into global export markets.

UKGCC Grand Challenge
The UKGCC Grand Challenge is an innovative competition designed to identify, support and scale cutting-edge solutions in Ghana’s agriculture and energy sectors. It serves as a bridge between researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and investors, creating an enabling environment for transformative business ideas.

At the Accra workshop, the UKGCC Executive Director Adjoba Kyiamah highlighted the programme’s role in fostering collaboration and nurturing impactful business solutions.

Adjoba Kyiamah is the Executive Director of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce

"This initiative is about turning ideas into action. By equipping innovators with mentorship, funding opportunities and access to industry expertise, we are creating a sustainable pipeline of investable, commercially viable solutions that can transform Ghana’s agribusiness and energy landscape," she explained.

Held at the Mix Design Hub in Accra, the workshop provided applicants with a platform to refine their concepts, exchange ideas and receive guidance from leading experts in business, technology and investment.

A panel of seasoned industry leaders and innovation specialists assessed the solutions presented, providing key insights on scalability, investment readiness and market entry strategies.

Among the distinguished panellists were Saqib Nazir (Founder, Mojo Payments), Alhassan Baba Muniru (Co-founder, RUG), Dr Markus Perkmann (Vice-Dean in charge of Research & Faculty, Imperial College Business School), Franklin Eshun (Ghana TVET Service), Dr Roland Asare (Senior Research Officer, CSIR Ghana), Ben Mumby-Croft (Director of Entrepreneurship, Imperial College London), Divine Elikem Ackah (Technical Supervisor, IT Consortium), Julian Owusu (BUILD The Company), Mawuli Ocloo (Sales Coach), and Nuna Attipoe (Associate, Koranteng & Koranteng Legal Advisors).

Global exposure 
Beyond mentorship and networking, the programme offers a unique opportunity for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to gain international exposure.
"Shortlisted applicants will have the chance to pitch their innovations in the UK, connecting with global investors and business leaders to attract funding and scale their solutions," Ms Kyiamah revealed.

The UKGCC Grand Challenge will now move to Kumasi, where another round of engagements with industry stakeholders and innovators will take place.

This initiative is part of the Sankore Programme, a UK Government-backed effort under the West Africa Research and Innovation Hub (WARIH), aimed at strengthening West Africa’s innovation ecosystem and scaling impactful solutions.

With Ghana’s agricultural sector identified as a key driver of economic growth, the UKGCC Grand Challenge is proving to be a catalyst for change, bridging innovation with real-world implementation—ensuring that Ghana’s agribusiness sector not only survives but thrives in a competitive global landscape.