Jane Opoku-Agyemang Heads to U.S. for Global Food Security Dialogue

The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has departed Ghana for the United States to participate in the 2025 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue.

The program is organized by the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa.

During the four-day programme, which runs from October 21 to 24, the Vice President is expected to deliver a keynote address highlighting Ghana’s efforts in food security, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive agribusiness. She will also engage in bilateral talks with development partners and join a high-level roundtable discussion on innovation and agricultural transformation.

Her participation underscores Ghana’s commitment to advancing resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems that contribute to global food security.

At a similar event in Brussels earlier in October, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised Ghana’s determination to move beyond the export of raw cocoa beans towards building a thriving cocoa economy that empowers farmers and creates jobs.

She called on the European Union’s Sustainable Cocoa Initiative to partner with Ghana to drive investment in the sector, saying such collaboration would help improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. The Vice President made the call while addressing the EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative session at the 2025 Global Gateway Forum in Brussels.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further noted that Ghana needs structured farming models that combine investment with affordable working capital, risk-sharing mechanisms, and technical support that reach even small rural processors.

She urged the EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative and the Global Gateway Framework to take advantage of this opportunity, adding that new digital traceability systems are being introduced to ensure transparency, combat child labour, and reassure consumers.

“A major risk rather is underinvestment and failing to capture more value as demand grows. Trade barriers also pose another challenge. Our tariffs on how beans are often zero duty rise significantly on cocoa powder, chocolate and others limiting our ability to export processed goods,” she stated.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang added that Ghana’s broader transformation agenda includes initiatives such as the “Big Push” for agro-industrial infrastructure and the “Connect 24” pillar of the 24-hour economy, which aims to ensure a seamless flow of energy and data.

She concluded by reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to building a sustainable cocoa economy that creates jobs, supports industry, and uplifts farmers, urging global partners to join in the effort.