President John Dramani Mahama has launched a new vegetable development project built around solar-powered irrigation to support year-round production and help reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes, onions and peppers.
The launch took place at Kukuom in the Ahafo Region on Thursday (November 27, 2025).
Speaking at the event, President Mahama said irrigation was the main driver of steady vegetable supply and food security.
He told farmers, traditional leaders, and officials that water remained the foundation of the project’s success.
“Without water, vegetable production cannot thrive. Without year-round production, we cannot achieve food security or reduce our imports,” he said.
The President said the Vegetable Development Project will use solar-powered irrigation systems across 60 hectares in six Ahafo communities, namely Kukuom, Nobekaw, Dantano, Sankore, Asibrem and Kwapong.
He said the installations will support steady water supply, lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.
President Mahama said the project forms part of the government’s Feed Ghana programme, which seeks to develop the vegetable sub-sector using domestic production.
According to him, the project aims to “build a competitive and sustainable vegetable industry anchored firmly on our own domestic production.”
He said farmers involved in the project have started receiving improved seeds, organic fertiliser, agronomic training and digital advisory services.
He added that a guaranteed buyer had been lined up to give farmers predictable markets. “A committed buyer, FarmAids, has been introduced to secure predictable markets for all the farmers’ produce,” he said.
To improve quality and reduce losses, the project includes a packhouse with grading, sorting, packaging and cold-chain services. The project is expected to be completed within 12 months.
Mr Mahama said the project forms part of a broader agricultural plan running from 2025 to 2028.
The plan seeks to expand irrigation, strengthen value chains and grow commodities such as rice, maize, soya bean, vegetables, cassava, poultry and cashew.
He noted that the vegetable sub-sector offers strong returns and has room for job creation for young people, women and persons with disabilities.
The President said the country was laying the ground for what he described as a 24-hour agricultural economy powered by technology, reliable markets and steady production cycles.
He said the Ahafo Region was becoming a centre for innovation and commercial-scale farming, adding that the new installations would support cooperatives, create jobs and raise household incomes.
Mr Mahama said the government was improving infrastructure, storage and market linkages under the Feed Ghana agenda.
He ended his remarks by calling for discipline and unity. “With discipline, unity and a shared sense of purpose, we will feed Ghana, we will grow Ghana, and we will transform Ghana,” he said before declaring the project launched.