The Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 opened at the CICAD conference centre with a focus on empowering Africa’s youth in transforming the continent’s agrifood sectors.
Ghana’s delegation, led by Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo, participated actively in the discussions, emphasizing Ghana’s strategic initiatives to boost agricultural growth and food security.
Under the theme, “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation,” the forum convened policymakers, private sector players, development partners, and young innovators to chart a sustainable path forward.
The first day featured a comprehensive review of Africa’s progress in food systems transformation, highlighting the importance of accountability, youth-led innovation, and innovative financing models. Ghana’s delegation, including Minister Ocloo, engaged in high-level dialogues on how to accelerate these areas through concrete initiatives.
According to her, Ghana is developing youth-focused incubation hubs and establishing Ghana–Senegal exchange initiatives to foster knowledge sharing and innovation in agribusiness to explore innovative financing models that combine public and private funds to enhance storage, transportation, and value addition in Ghana’s food supply chains.
Minister Ocloo also took the opportunity to engage private investors, regional colleagues, and agritech startups, laying the groundwork for future collaborations aimed at scaling up agribusinesses and improving food security across Ghana. These engagements are expected to attract investments and technical support to strengthen Ghana’s agrifood ecosystem.
Ghana’s active participation in the Africa Food Systems Forum underscores its commitment to transforming its agricultural sector into a driver of economic growth and job creation. By focusing on youth empowerment, innovative financing, and regional cooperation, Ghana aims to position itself as a leader in sustainable agribusiness development in West Africa.
As the continent continues to face food security challenges amid climate change and population growth, Ghana’s strategic initiatives at the forum demonstrate a proactive approach to harnessing Africa’s youthful demographic and technological potential to achieve resilient and inclusive food systems.
The outcomes of the forum are poised to shape Ghana’s agricultural policies and investment landscape in the coming years, with a focus on leveraging regional partnerships and technological innovation to unlock the sector’s full potential.
