John Dramani Mahama has officially opened the Ghana AgroTech Fair 2026 in Accra, underscoring the critical role of innovation and technology in transforming agriculture into a key driver of economic growth and national prosperity.
Held under the theme “Transforming Agribusiness through Local Innovation and Technology,” the fair has brought together stakeholders from agriculture, technology, and agribusiness sectors to explore practical solutions aimed at boosting productivity and strengthening agribusiness through local expertise.
Addressing participants at the event, President Mahama emphasized that the fair represents more than an exhibition of modern tools and equipment.
“Events such as this do more than just showcase machinery and technology; they connect ideas to enterprise, research to industry, and innovation to investment,” he said. “In doing so, they help to transform agriculture from a sector of survival to a sector of opportunity, productivity, and national prosperity.”
The President stressed the importance of prioritizing homegrown technological solutions as Ghana seeks to modernize its agricultural value chain. He cautioned against overreliance on imported systems, noting that sustainable transformation requires building local capacity.
“No nation can transform its agricultural economy while indefinitely depending on imported machinery, processing lines and technological systems at every stage of production,” he stated. “If Ghana is serious about agricultural transformation, we must deliberately build the capacity to design, fabricate, adapt, maintain and scale agricultural technologies locally.”
As part of broader efforts to support farmers and enhance productivity, President Mahama announced plans to cut the sod for the first farmer service centre on Friday, March 17, at Afram Plains.
The initiative will establish 50 centres nationwide, with the first phase covering 11 centres in key agricultural zones. Registered farmers will benefit from mechanisation services, training, and guidance from extension officers on best practices in production, transportation, processing, and value addition.
“This initiative is part of our broader plan to modernise agriculture, enhance productivity, and strengthen local agribusiness through innovation and capacity building,” he added.
The Ghana AgroTech Fair 2026 is expected to serve as a vital platform for industry players, researchers, and investors to collaborate on technological advancements, promote modern farming practices, and contribute to building a more resilient and profitable agricultural sector in Ghana.
