Ghana has called for harmonised seed regulations, stronger support for farmer-managed seed systems and increased investment in agricultural research to help Africa build food systems capable of withstanding climate and economic pressures.
Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, outlined the priorities in a statement presented at the African Union’s Africa Seed Summit, held from 5–7 October 2026 in Ezulwini, Eswatini, under the theme “Resilient Seed Systems for a Food Secure Africa.”
Dumelo, who serves as First Vice-Chair of the AU’s Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE), said the continent’s response to food insecurity must begin with the foundation of agricultural production: seeds.
“Without resilient, climate-smart, and high-yielding seeds, our aspirations for agricultural self-reliance remain out of reach,” he said.
He described seeds as essential to food security, rural livelihoods and national sovereignty, arguing that climate variability, economic pressures and geopolitical shifts were testing Africa’s agricultural systems.
Ghana’s proposals centred on three areas: improving cross-border seed trade, strengthening inclusive local seed systems, and expanding research into locally adapted crop varieties.
On trade, Dumelo urged African countries to streamline regional seed regulations and quality assurance frameworks to make it easier for seeds to move across borders.
He also called for farmer-managed seed systems to be safeguarded and formalised alongside the development of commercial seed markets. His statement emphasised the role of women and young people in local seed stewardship and the need to improve their access to finance, research and technical training.
“Women and youth, who form the backbone of local seed stewardship, must be given central access to finance, research, and technical training,” he said.
The call places farmers’ knowledge and participation at the centre of efforts to strengthen seed security, while recognising the importance of investment in formal seed production and distribution.
Dumelo further urged governments to deepen investment in public agricultural research and plant breeding. He said local institutions must be equipped to develop crop varieties suited to changing climatic conditions and emerging pest threats.
He linked the declaration under discussion to the CAADP Kampala Declaration for 2026–2035, presenting seed security as a cornerstone of the continent’s wider agrifood transformation agenda.
However, he stressed that commitments would require political will, sustained investment and cooperation among African countries to deliver results.
“Let this Declaration serve not merely as a statement of intent, but as a binding pact to empower our farmers, safeguard our biodiversity, and feed our continent from our own soils,” he said.
Ghana expressed support for the declaration and pledged to work with other AU member states towards a more self-sufficient and resilient continent.
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