Mahama Repositions GEXIM to Drive Agricultural Transformation Under "Feed Ghana Programme"

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to reposition the Ghana Export–Import Bank (GEXIM) as a central pillar in his administration’s strategy to revolutionize Ghana’s agriculture sector.

The President made this known during the launch of the “Feed Ghana Programme” on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Techiman, in the Bono East Region.

A Bold Vision for Agricultural Financing

Speaking at the event, President Mahama emphasized the crucial role of financing in unlocking the potential of Ghana’s agriculture. He announced that GEXIM would be refocused to offer concessional loans to farmers and agribusinesses, particularly those involved in export-oriented production and value addition.

“Financing remains one of the key barriers to agricultural investment,” he noted. “To address this, the Exim Bank will be refocused to offer concessional loans to farmers and agricultural enterprises, especially those involved in export and value addition.”

Mahama added that the government would develop agro-processing zones equipped with irrigation, roads, power, and warehousing to attract private investment into the processing of local agricultural produce.

Feed Ghana: A National Agricultural Agenda

The Feed Ghana Programme is a flagship initiative aimed at increasing food production, enhancing food security, and generating employment. The programme targets key value chains including:

Vegetables

Grains

Poultry

Oil palm

Tubers

Other import substitutes

The ultimate goal is to reduce Ghana’s dependence on food imports, while laying the groundwork for a vibrant export-driven agricultural economy.

GEXIM Poised to Deliver Support

In a media briefing after the launch, the Acting Chief Executive of GEXIM, Hon. Sylvester Mensah, affirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting the initiative.

“The ‘Feed Ghana Programme’ aligns perfectly with GEXIM’s priorities — increasing food production, supporting agro-processing, and investing in projects with high job creation potential,” he stated.

A Pathway to Food Sovereignty and Youth Employment

The Feed Ghana Programme is also expected to create thousands of jobs for Ghana’s youth through strategic investments in agricultural value chains and processing infrastructure. With GEXIM's support, the programme is positioned to become a cornerstone in Ghana’s journey toward food sovereignty, rural development, and sustainable economic growth.