The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has embarked on a major initiative to transform Ghana’s Volta Basin into a network of integrated agro-industrial hubs, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and supporting the 24-hour economy agenda of  President John Dramani Mahama.

A high-level MiDA delegation, led by Board Chairman Charles Abugre and Chief Executive Officer Alexander Kofi-Mensah Mould, recently toured key farming corridors along the White and Black Volta rivers to assess potential sites for Agro-Ecological Parks (AEPs).

The visit spanned agricultural zones in the Oti and Northern regions, where officials observed significant untapped potential for large-scale farming, irrigation, and agro-processing.

According to MiDA, the proposed AEPs will serve as fully integrated production zones, combining year-round farming with processing, storage, logistics, and export capabilities.

Mr. Mould explained that the initiative seeks to shift Ghana beyond subsistence agriculture toward industrialised farming systems that create jobs, strengthen food security, and expand export opportunities.

“We are not looking at farming alone,” he said. “The vision is to develop complete agro-industrial ecosystems where production, processing, storage, and logistics work together to boost productivity and expand export potential.”

The project will focus on value chains for crops such as rice, vegetables, fruits, and other high-value commodities, creating opportunities for local and international markets.

During a stop in Dambai, Oti Region, the delegation identified transport bottlenecks that could hinder economic activity along the proposed corridor.

The existing ferry system was described as slow and unreliable, with commuters sometimes waiting over three hours to cross the river.

“A modern agricultural corridor requires efficient transport infrastructure,” Mr. Mould said, emphasising the importance of improving river crossings to enhance market access and mobility for farmers and traders.

In the Northern Region, including visits to the Katanga Valley and Salaga area, officials identified sites suitable for irrigation dam development and potential agro-industrial processing zones to support value addition.

However, some existing facilities under the One- Village- One -Dam initiative, particularly in Zoggu and Tamaligu, were incomplete or not functioning as intended.

Mr. Mould stressed the importance of meeting proper engineering standards to ensure sustainable agricultural development. “With the right infrastructure, irrigation systems, and partnerships, these regions can become major agricultural production centres for Ghana,” he said.