President John Dramani Mahama has commended agribusiness investor Kwame Awuah Darko for what he described as a transformative contribution to Ghana’s efforts to achieve rice self-sufficiency.

Speaking at an economic forum attended by leading business figures, the President highlighted Mr. Awuah Darko’s 7,000-hectare mechanised rice project in the Afram Plains as a model for large-scale agricultural development.

He noted that the project demonstrates how modern, science-driven farming methods can ensure all year-round production and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported rice.

President Mahama, who recently visited the project site, said the initiative offers a practical pathway to strengthening the country’s domestic food systems and easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves caused by high import volumes.

He emphasized that while government policies remain important, the private sector must play a leading role in scaling up agricultural production.

“In our drive towards all year-round food production and self-sufficiency, the private sector must take the lead.

Government cannot do it alone,” he stated.

Ghana continues to face a significant gap between local rice production and consumption despite past interventions, including the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

This has made the country vulnerable to global price fluctuations and supply disruptions.

Mr. Awuah Darko, a former Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), has in recent years transitioned into large-scale agriculture, investing in mechanisation, irrigation, and improved seed varieties. His Afram Plains project is increasingly being cited as a benchmark for commercial farming in Ghana.

The Afram Plains, located in the Eastern Region, is widely regarded as one of the country’s most fertile agricultural zones. However, challenges such as underinvestment, limited infrastructure, and restricted access to modern inputs have historically hindered its full potential.