Ghana's agricultural policy in 2025–2028 rests on the Feed Ghana Programme, after Planting for Food and Jobs (2017–2024) and the Investing for Food and Jobs plan of 2018. Land is governed by the 1992 Constitution and the Land Act, 2020, cocoa by the Ghana Cocoa Board Law of 1984, which the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, assented in August 2026 (Gazette notification not found), replaces12, and tree crops by the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019. Finance rests on the Bank of Ghana Act, the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act of 2016 and the Borrowers and Lenders Act of 2020, and climate on the Environmental Protection Act, 2025.
This note explains how the entries are linked. Most Acts link to the printed copy held in the Parliament of Ghana institutional repository, which shows the date of assent and the date of Gazette notification, or to the copy published by the responsible regulator. GhaLII document pages sit behind a bot check, so for some instruments only the GhaLII index entry is cited, and their dates are not shown. None of the Acts opened contains a separate commencement section, and no commencement instrument was found for them. Under article 106(11) of the Constitution an Act does not come into force unless it has been published in the Gazette, without prejudice to Parliament's power to postpone its operation3.
Milestones in agricultural and agri-finance policy
Ghana Cocoa Board Bill passed (reported 7 August) and assented (reported 26 August)Law
On 15 August 2026 COCOBOD placed the passage of the Bill barely a week earlier, and it later described the Act as newly enacted. Gazette publication not confirmed221122
Oct 2026
Domestic Cocoa Notes Programme launched on the Ghana Stock Exchange23Finance
8.1
Constitution, land and cocoa
Constitution of the Republic of GhanaConstitution, 19921992
Article 36(3) directs the State to 'take appropriate measures to promote the development of agriculture and industry'3. Article 267 vests stool lands in the stool in trust for its subjects, creates the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands and allocates stool land revenue, after 10% for that Office, as 25% to the stool, 20% to the traditional authority and 55% to the District Assembly3. Article 266 bars freehold interests for non-citizens and limits their leases to 50 years at a time3.
Recent changes: The copy cited is a reproduction hosted by the Ghana Audit Service. The 1996 amendment (Act 527) was not opened3.
Land Act, 2020Act 1036Assented 23 Dec 2020, Gazette notification 23 Dec 2020
The Act revises and consolidates the law on land, sets out the interests in land (allodial, customary freehold, usufruct, common-law freehold and leasehold) and requires stools, skins, clans and families that own land to set up Customary Land Secretariats13. Section 22 limits grants of farming rights in stool, clan or family land to 25 years for poultry farming or cereals and 50 years for ranching or tree crops13.
Recent changes: Section 282 repeals 13 enactments, including the Land Title Registration Act, 1986 (PNDCL 152) and the Farm Lands (Protection) Act, 1962 (Act 107). No amendment was found134.
Lands Commission Act, 2008Act 767Assented 4 Dec 2008, Gazette notification 12 Dec 2008
The Act establishes the Lands Commission with Regional Lands Commissions to integrate the public land institutions, regulate survey and mapping and maintain a land information system24. The National Association of Farmers and Fishermen nominates a member of each Regional Lands Commission24.
Recent changes: Repealed the Lands Commission Act, 1994 (Act 483)24.
Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands Act, 1994Act 481Assented 7 Aug 1994, Gazette notification 9 Sep 1994
The Act establishes the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, which collects and distributes stool land revenue under article 267 of the Constitution263.
Ghana Cocoa Board Law, 1984, and Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026PNDCL 81, and Act 1182 as cited by COCOBODPNDCL 81 of 1984. Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 assented by 26 Aug 2026, Gazette notification date not found
PNDCL 81 established COCOBOD to purchase, market and export cocoa, encourage processing and regulate the marketing and export of cocoa, coffee and sheanuts5. COCOBOD reported on 7 August 2026 that Parliament had passed the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, which 'replaces the 1984 law', ahead of presidential assent2. The Information Services Department reported on 26 August 2026 that the President had assented to the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, one of ten bills1. The Act number is given only in COCOBOD's release of 25 September 2026, which refers to 'the newly enacted Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182)' and states that it guarantees farmers a minimum of 70% of the realised gross FOB price and prohibits COCOBOD from quasi-fiscal activities22.
Recent changes: Under article 106(11) of the Constitution an Act does not come into force unless it has been published in the Gazette, without prejudice to Parliament's power to postpone its operation3. Gazette publication of the 2026 Act was not confirmed, and the Act was not yet listed in the Parliament repository or on GhaLII in October 2026. PNDCL 81 is cited from the GhaLII index4.
Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019Act 1010Assented 28 Dec 2019, Gazette notification 30 Dec 2019
The Act establishes the Tree Crops Development Authority 'to regulate and develop in a sustainable environment the production, processing and trading of tree crops', creates a Tree Crops Fund and requires actors in the value chain to register12. Section 26 defines tree crops as oil palm, rubber, cashew, coconut, mango and shea, so cocoa and coffee remain with COCOBOD12. The Authority set a minimum price for raw shea nut of GH¢9.01 per kg for the 2026 season27.
Recent changes: Tree Crops Regulations (L.I. 2471) were made under the Act27.
The Act provides for plant protection, seed certification and fertiliser control, and creates a Plants and Fertilizer Fund7. MoFA's Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate implements it29.
Recent changes: Section 125 repealed the Prevention and Control of Pests and Diseases of Plants Act, 1965 (Act 307) and the Seeds (Certification and Standards) Act, 1972 (NRCD 100). The Plants and Fertilizer (Aflatoxin Control in Maize Grains) (Technical) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2428) were made under it74.
Plant Variety Protection Act, 2020Act 1050Assented 29 Dec 2020, published 29 Dec 2020 (WIPO Lex copy)
The Act provides 'for the grant and protection of plant breeder rights and for related matters' and applies to all plant genera and species30. Plant Variety Protection Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2463) were made under it4.
Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (pesticide provisions)Act 1124, sections 51–75Assented 6 Jan 2025, Gazette notification 6 Jan 2025
The Act gives the Environmental Protection Authority the power to register pesticides, license pesticide dealers and issue import and export permits, and creates a Pesticides Management Fund18.
Recent changes: The Pesticides Control and Management Act, 1996 (Act 528), assented on 23 December 1996, previously governed pesticides. Section 171 of Act 1124 does not list Act 528 among the Acts it repeals, so its formal status was not confirmed3118.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025Act 1146Assented 14 Aug 2025, Gazette notification 14 Aug 2025
The Act consolidates the law on fisheries and aquaculture and establishes the Fisheries Commission to conserve, develop and manage fisheries and aquaculture resources and prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing20.
Recent changes: Section 171 repeals the Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), assented on 16 January 2002, and the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 880)2032.
Diseases of Animals Act, 1961Act 83Assented 1 Nov 1961
The Act provides for the prevention and control of infectious and contagious animal diseases, and declarations of affected areas, for example for African swine fever, are made under it33. MoFA's Veterinary Services Directorate implements animal health policy34.
Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022Act 10782022 (GhaLII version of 30 Jun 2022)
The Act governs the Ghana Standards Authority, which sets standards and certifies weights and measures, including the scales used to buy cocoa437. The text could not be opened, so the assent and Gazette dates are not shown.
Export and Import Act, 1995, and grain export restrictionsAct 503 and L.I. 2467 of 2022Act assented 3 Aug 1995, Gazette notification 11 Aug 1995
The Act regulates external trade and the conditions for exports and imports38. The Export and Import (Restrictions on Exportation of Grains) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2467) were made under it4.
Commodity Exchange and Warehouse Receipts Guidelines, 2019SEC/GUI/002/02/2019 and SEC/GUI/003/02/2019Both made 1 Apr 2019
The Securities Industry Act, 2016 (Act 929) makes the SEC responsible for commodities and futures exchanges39. The Commodity Exchange Guidelines were made by the Commission and the Warehouse Receipts Guidelines by the Minister for Finance on its recommendation, covering the licensing of warehouse operators and inspectors, insurance and bonds4041. The Ghana Commodity Exchange began operating in November 201811.
Irrigation Development Authority Act, 1977SMCD 851977
The law establishes the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority to plan irrigation and develop water resources 'for irrigated farming, livestock improvement and fish culture'42. No newer irrigation Act was found43.
Bank of Ghana Act, 2002Act 612Assented 24 Jan 2002
The primary objective of the Bank of Ghana 'is to maintain stability in the general level of prices'6. The Bank sets the Monetary Policy Rate, which stood at 14.0% after the meeting of 24 September 202644.
Recent changes: The Bank of Ghana (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 918), assented and notified on 19 August 2016, added support for the Government's economic policy, growth and financial stability to the Bank's objectives45.
The Act regulates banks, savings and loans companies, finance houses, rural and community banks and financial holding companies, with the Bank of Ghana as licensing and supervisory authority8. The Bank's Climate-Related Financial Risk Directive of November 2024 is issued under section 92(1)46.
Recent changes: Section 157 repealed the Banking Act, 2004 (Act 673). GhaLII shows a consolidated version of 4 May 201884.
Non-Bank Financial Institutions Act, 2008Act 774Assented 23 Dec 2008, Gazette notification 9 Jan 2009
The Act provides for the licensing of non-bank financial institutions such as leasing, mortgage finance and credit companies by the Bank of Ghana47. In 2019 the Bank revoked the licences of 347 microfinance institutions and 39 microcredit companies48.
Development Finance Institutions Act, 2020Act 10322020 (GhaLII version of 27 Oct 2020)
The Act sets prudential rules for development finance institutions on capital, liquidity, governance and lending, and the Bank of Ghana supervises Development Bank Ghana under it494. At its launch in June 2022 the Governor noted that the share of bank credit to agriculture hovered around 4%49.
Borrowers and Lenders Act, 2020Act 1052Assented 29 Dec 2020, Gazette notification 29 Dec 2020
The Act regulates credit agreements, establishes a Collateral Registry at the Bank of Ghana and sets the registration, priority and enforcement of security interests in collateral, including movable property14.
The Bank of Ghana licenses and regulates credit bureaus, data providers and credit information recipients, and no person may run a credit bureau without its licence50. Credit Reporting Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2394) were made under the Act4.
Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019Act 987Assented 13 May 2019, Gazette notification 14 May 2019
The Act regulates payment systems, payment service providers and electronic money issuers, including mobile money51. There were 80.5 million registered e-money customers at the end of 202552.
Recent changes: Repealed the Payment Systems Act, 2003 (Act 662)51.
Securities Industry Act, 2016Act 929Assented 14 Sep 2016
The Act establishes the Securities and Exchange Commission, which regulates securities markets and commodities and futures exchanges39. The SEC approved the Domestic Cocoa Notes Programme of Cocoa Capital PLC in 202653.
Recent changes: Amended by the Securities Industry (Amendment) Act, 2021 (Act 1062)39.
Insurance Act, 2021Act 10612021 (GhaLII version of 5 Jan 2021)
The Act governs insurance and the National Insurance Commission454. The text and the Commission's reports could not be opened, so no figures on agricultural insurance are shown.
Ghana Deposit Protection Act, 2016, as amended in 2018Act 931, amended by Act 968Act 968 assented and notified 4 May 2018
The Acts set up a deposit protection scheme for banks and specialised deposit-taking institutions, whose mandate is 'to be a pay-box'55. Act 931 itself is cited from the GhaLII index4.
Feed Ghana Programme 2025–2028Ministry of Food and Agriculture, July 2025Launched April 2025
The flagship programme of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda targets self-sufficiency in rice, maize and soybeans, 270 Farmer Service Centres and 100,000 ha of agro-production enclaves by 2028, and plans to provide inputs on credit from 20265819. Its estimated cost is GH¢302.21 billion over four years, a plan rather than a budget allocation58. The 2026 Budget allocated GH¢200 million to the Feed Ghana Programme line and GH¢690 million to the Farmer Service Centres59.
Planting for Food and Jobs and PFJ 2.0Ministry of Food and Agriculture, 2017 and 20232017–2024
The first phase from 2017 subsidised fertiliser and seed, and the subsidy table shows 424,000 t of fertiliser in 2020960. PFJ 2.0 from April 2023 replaced subsidies with an input credit system recovered from harvested produce16. In 2024 the Government distributed 180,625 t of fertiliser and 7,553 t of seed to 344,930 farmers, including support to flood and dry-spell victims and input credit61.
Investing for Food and Jobs (IFJ) 2018–2021National Agriculture Investment Plan, January 20182018
The second-generation investment plan under CAADP, after METASIP I and II, had an indicative budget of GH¢9,543.28 million for four years, of which about 36% was secured through national budgets and 64% was a funding gap10. It restates the CAADP commitments of 10% of the national budget for agriculture and 6% agricultural growth a year10.
National Financial Inclusion and Development Strategy 2018–2023Ministry of Finance2018
The strategy aimed to raise financial inclusion from 58% of adults to 85% by 202362. Global Findex measured account ownership at 81.2% of adults in 202463.
Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA)
1,500,000,000
Allocation
2026
Ministry of Food and Agriculture, all sources
3,037,594,607
Allocation
2026
Fifty Farmers' Service Centres
690,000,000
Allocation (Government of Ghana)
2026
Fertilizer and certified seeds
515,313,522
Allocation (Government of Ghana)
2026
Poultry Farm to Table (Nkoko Nkitinkiti)
244,985,117
Allocation (Government of Ghana)
2026
Feed Ghana Programme
200,000,000
Allocation (Government of Ghana)
2026
National Food Buffer Stock Company
105,000,000
Allocation (Government of Ghana)
2026
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture
428,006,495
Allocation
2026 (to mid-year)
Payments to MoFA for flagship programmes
1,200,000,000
Payments
End-2024
MoFA arrears and payables
2,383,300,000
Stock
Source: MoF — Ministry of Finance budget statements and performance reports. The 2026 MoFA allocation is about US$270 million at the Bank of Ghana rate of end-August 2026 of 11.25 (own conversion)67.
8.5
International commitments and trade
Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade AreaAfrican UnionRatified 7 May 2018, deposited 10 May 2018
Ghana signed the agreement on 21 March 2018, and the agreement entered into force on 30 May 201968.
Stepping-stone Economic Partnership Agreement with the EUEU–Ghana interim EPASigned 28 Jul 2016, provisionally applied from 15 Dec 2016
The EU grants duty-free and quota-free access to all imports from Ghana except arms and ammunition69. EU-27 members took 47.2% of Ghana's agri-food exports in 2025 (own calculation)70.
EU Deforestation RegulationRegulation (EU) 2023/1115Applies from 30 Dec 2026 (large and medium operators)
The regulation requires operators placing cocoa and other commodities on the EU market to show that they are deforestation-free, and applies to micro and small operators from 30 June 202772. COCOBOD reported in September 2026 that its Ghana Cocoa Traceability System was fully deployed across all cocoa-growing areas22.
Article 6 cooperation agreementsSwitzerland, Singapore, Sweden23 Nov 2020, 27 May 2024, May 2024
Ghana signed a bilateral agreement with Switzerland on 23 November 2020, an implementation agreement on carbon credits with Singapore on 27 May 2024 and the Swedish Energy Agency announced a legally binding agreement with Ghana in May 2024737475. The Singapore agreement requires a 5% share of proceeds for adaptation and the cancellation of 2% of credits74.
AI-assisted content, human-reviewed: This page was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by a human editor. (last review: October 2026) Despite review, errors or outdated values may remain; please verify critical figures against the linked primary sources before relying on them. Nothing here is investment, legal or financial advice.
