Ghana will launch the Ghana Food Brigade by the end of December as part of a major government effort to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen national food security, Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku has announced.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, November 24, the Minister said the initiative will be accompanied by the enrollment of 10,000 young people into a four-year National Service agriculture programme.
Each year, a selected number of participants will be retained as permanent staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to enhance agricultural extension services nationwide.
According to Mr. Opoku, the Food Brigade is designed to equip young Ghanaians with hands-on agricultural skills while building a sustainable workforce to support the country’s food production systems.
“It is our hope that the Ghana Food Brigade will be launched before the end of December this year,” he stated. “In addition, 10,000 youth are being enrolled on the national service scheme under a four-year programme. Each year a portion of these youth will be retained as permanent ministry staff to augment agricultural extension delivery.”
The Minister explained that the initiative aligns with government’s broader agricultural modernization agenda, which aims to increase productivity, improve food availability, and create meaningful employment opportunities for the youth.
The Food Brigade is expected to serve as a key driver of national food security efforts by increasing support for farmers, improving extension services, and strengthening youth participation in agriculture.