The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced plans to establish a Land Banks Initiative aimed at unlocking large-scale agricultural production and attracting investment into the sector.
The initiative was unveiled by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, during a working visit by Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to the Ministry.
According to the Minister, the Land Banks system is designed to identify, protect and make available suitable lands for strategic agricultural activities, while addressing the long-standing land acquisition challenges that often discourage both local and foreign investors.
“If we say we want to invest seriously in agriculture, the first question is: how do we secure the land?” Mr. Buah said. “Whether it is for palm production or large-scale cocoa farming, investors should not be burdened with the headache of searching for land.”
He explained that the Ministry is taking deliberate steps to ensure land is readily available for agricultural investors, adding that the initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance.
Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang welcomed the initiative but stressed the need for inclusiveness, particularly for women who often face barriers in accessing land for farming.
“Let us remember the women,” she urged. “Many women want to farm but, for various reasons, do not have access to land. If we can reserve portions of these land banks for them, they can also contribute meaningfully to the economy.”
The proposed Land Banks Initiative is expected to play a key role in transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector by improving land access, boosting investor confidence and expanding participation across different segments of society.
