Local agri-food systems grow stronger when agriculture, business, training and institutions work together.

As part of the wider 'Programme AREA Africa' implemented by CIHEAM Bari in Ghana, Senegal, and the Republic of Congo within the framework of the project 'Strengthening Agri-Food Ecosystems in Ghana in partnership with the Italian private sector', ongoing monitoring and technical support activities continue to contribute to strengthening local agri-food ecosystems.

From 16 to 22 April, a monitoring mission led by Enrico Azzone, Coordinator of the Programme AREA Africa at CIHEAM Bari, together with Alessandro Lorato, Project Manager in Ghana, provided an important opportunity to assess the progress of activities and reinforce dialogue with institutional and operational partners across the country.

At the core of the work in Ghana is the promotion of a more productive, sustainable and inclusive agriculture sector, capable of generating economic opportunities for farmers, young people and rural communities. This path involves technical capacity building, improvement of value chains, and stronger connections between local and international enterprises.

Among the key moments of the mission, the visit to the Model Farm of private partner BFI offered the opportunity to observe ongoing field activities and the potential of innovative farming models that could be replicated in other rural areas of the country.

Special attention was also given to the development of multifunctional agriculture through the launch of cooperation with the partner World Farmers Markets Coalition (WFMC), led by President Richard McCarthy, Director General Carmelo Troccoli and Coordinator Viola Capriola, which will support initiatives aimed at strengthening the link between agricultural production, local markets, income generation and territorial development.  

Discussions with with key institutional and cooperation partners, including the Ambassador of Italy to Ghana and Togo Laura Ranalli, ICE Director Luigi Puca, the Minister of Food and Agriculture Hon. Eric Opoku, AICS representatives and the local authorities of the Central Tongu District, confirmed a number of shared priorities: increasing the resilience of the agricultural sector, improving market access for small producers, supporting youth employment and promoting sustainable development models.

“Meeting and discussing with all the representatives of our AREA Africa Ghana partners - said Mr. Azzone- confirms the value of constant coordination in every country where we operate. It shows how the Italian development cooperation system can act in synergy through a shared vision and concrete collaboration”

Through an integrated approach combining technical expertise, public-private partnerships and international cooperation, CIHEAM Bari continues to support concrete pathways for economic growth and food security in Ghana.

The “AREA Africa Ghana project” is part of Italy’s international cooperation programme under the Mattei Plan for Africa, within the Action for the Strengthening of Agro-Food Ecosystems in Africa (AREA), co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

CIHEAM Bari leads the public component as knowledge and implementing partner, alongside the private partner BFI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).