Ghana’s drive to modernise agriculture through technology, skills development and stronger international cooperation has received a boost with the opening of the Ghana–Hungary Agricultural Extension Capacity Building Programme, an initiative expected to strengthen agricultural advisory services and improve the delivery of modern farming solutions to producers across the country.

The first cohort of the three-week programme, which opened on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Alexis Hotel near the Afienya Tollbooth, is a joint initiative of the Governance Africa Foundation (GAfF) and the Embassy of Hungary in Accra, with support from the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat.

Beyond the immediate training, the initiative highlights the growing importance of partnerships that connect international expertise, public-sector priorities and local agricultural knowledge to address the structural challenges facing Ghana’s agricultural sector.

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Speaking on behalf of Ghana’s Ambassador to Hungary, H.E. Dr Kwame Ampofo, Dr Phanuel Wuni conveyed the Ambassador’s commendation to the institutions and individuals whose efforts made the programme possible.

The Ambassador described the initiative as an important opportunity to deepen knowledge exchange, professional capacity and practical cooperation between Ghana and Hungary, particularly in agriculture, technology and sustainable development.

He encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity by acquiring new skills and applying and sharing the knowledge gained for the benefit of farmers, agricultural enterprises, communities and the country as a whole.

The message also underscored the importance of sustaining the Ghana–Hungary relationship through practical initiatives capable of delivering long-term development outcomes.

At the opening ceremony, Dr Al-Hassan Adam, Social Policy Advisor at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, who served as Special Guest of Honour, highlighted the strategic relevance of agricultural extension services to the 24-Hour Economy agenda.

He emphasised that a productive, technology-driven agricultural system requires extension officers who can connect farmers to markets, irrigation facilities, processing infrastructure and emerging opportunities across agricultural value chains.

The Secretariat also highlighted opportunities associated with the Volta Economic Corridor, including plans for large-scale irrigation infrastructure and agro-ecological parks. Extension officers are expected to play an important role in mobilising farmers, supporting out-grower schemes and helping producers participate in emerging agro-industrial activities.

The training therefore comes at a time when agricultural extension is increasingly expected to go beyond conventional farm visits and advisory support. Digital tools, precision agriculture, climate-smart practices and data-informed decision-making are becoming important components of efforts to improve productivity and strengthen the resilience of farming communities.

Also, in attendance was the Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Madam Kathleen Addy, who called for a change in mindset and a stronger sense of civic responsibility among citizens as essential ingredients for national development. Addressing the agricultural extension officers, she urged them to become responsible advocates for sustainable development in their respective communities, using their positions to educate citizens and speak out against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which continues to threaten farmlands, water bodies and agricultural productivity.

She emphasised that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility and encouraged the officers to use their influence at the district level to promote responsible practices and safeguard Ghana’s agricultural future. Madam Addy further underscored the importance of national unity, stressing that the country’s progress depends on citizens working together towards common goals, as a united nation stands while a divided nation falls.

The Hungarian Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tamas Feher, in his message, emphasised that successful agricultural solutions must be shaped by Ghanaian knowledge, conditions and priorities, even as Hungary shares its experience and technical expertise.

The message expressed confidence that the programme could extend well beyond the first cohort and contribute to lasting capacity within Ghana’s agricultural system.

It also highlighted the importance of learning from Ghanaian experts and farmers as the cooperation develops, reinforcing the principle that sustainable agricultural transformation depends on adapting knowledge to local realities rather than simply transferring technology.

The Ambassador wished participants an engaging and productive training experience, expressing hope that the knowledge exchanged would contribute to stronger extension services, more resilient farming communities and new opportunities for Ghanaian agriculture.

The message acknowledged the contributions of the Governance Africa Foundation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Hungary, the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, and other institutions and individuals supporting the programme.

This emphasis on mutual learning gives the partnership a broader significance. By combining international experience with Ghanaian expertise, the initiative can help develop approaches that are relevant to local production systems while creating opportunities for continued technical cooperation, institutional partnerships and innovation.

For the Governance Africa Foundation and its partners, the opening ceremony marks an important milestone in advancing agricultural capacity development through international cooperation.

However, the broader ambition extends beyond a single training cohort. As Ghana pursues agricultural modernisation, food security, job creation and export growth, initiatives of this nature can provide a platform for deeper cooperation between public institutions, international partners and the private sector.

The Ghana–Hungary initiative illustrates how cooperation can bring together complementary expertise in pursuit of national development priorities. With the right institutional backing and sustained participation from businesses and development partners, the benefits could extend beyond the current cohort to support a broader network of skilled agricultural professionals and more resilient farming communities.

The first Ghana-Hungary Business and Trade Forum held in Budapest on 24^th September in Budapest, provided another platform for the two countries to explore opportunities in trade, investment, technology transfer, value addition and skills development. The forum, organised by the Embassy of Ghana in Hungary in collaboration with Governance Africa Foundation, brought together government officials, private-sector representatives, investors and development partners.

Ghana’s Ambassador to Hungary, Dr Kwame Ampofo, highlighted opportunities for stronger economic relations and identified Ghanaian commodities, including cocoa, cashew, shea, fruits and grains, as areas where cooperation with Hungarian businesses could be expanded. GAfF Founder George Odamtten also emphasised the potential of combining Ghana’s agricultural raw materials with Hungarian technology and expertise to create value-added products for domestic and international markets.

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The Government of Hungary has signed a landmark cooperation agreement with the Governance Africa Foundation (GAfF) to strengthen agricultural development, knowledge transfer and agribusiness cooperation between Hungary and Ghana.

The agreement, signed with Hungary’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food, represents an important step in expanding practical Ghana–Hungary cooperation in agriculture and agribusiness. It places capacity building, knowledge transfer and the development of sustainable agribusiness systems at the centre of the partnership.

The initiative has been supported by the Embassy of Hungary in Accra and the Embassy of Ghana in Hungary, whose engagement has helped facilitate stronger institutional and bilateral cooperation.

A major component of the programme will be the training of agricultural extension officers. Hungarian agricultural experts will provide specialised training aimed at strengthening technical knowledge, modern agricultural practices, technology transfer, farm management and agribusiness development. The programme is intended to improve the capacity of extension personnel to support farmers and agribusiness operators more effectively.

The partnership will also focus on building effective cooperative systems in agribusiness. GAfF and its partners will work towards strengthening farmer organisations and cooperatives, improving collective capacity, facilitating market access and creating stronger links between production, processing, value addition, investment and markets.

Another important area will be education and human-capital development, including opportunities for scholarships for Ghanaian professionals to pursue postgraduate studies in selected universities in Hungary. The scholarship programme will complement practical training by providing opportunities for advanced academic and technical specialisation in agriculture and related fields.

The programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU), bringing additional international expertise and opportunities for technical cooperation, institutional strengthening and sustainable agricultural development.

GAfF will also seek support and collaboration from relevant local partners, including the 24-Hour Economy Authority, among other institutions and private-sector stakeholders. These partnerships will be important in connecting agricultural production with processing, value addition, investment, employment and domestic and international markets.

The cooperation is expected to contribute to a broader agricultural export drive while strengthening the capacity of farmers, extension professionals, cooperatives and agribusinesses to participate competitively in international markets.

The agreement therefore marks a transition from dialogue to practical programmes, with a focus on extension training, effective cooperatives, agribusiness development, export promotion, advanced education and international partnerships. Through the collaboration between the Government of Hungary, GAfF, FAO, the European Union and other strategic partners, the initiative seeks to build a stronger and more sustainable agribusiness ecosystem that can create opportunities for Ghanaian farmers, young people and businesses.

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GAfF together with the National Commission for Civic Education inaugrated the  Civic Education Club at the University of Ghana Medical School – Korle-Bu Chapter.

This took place on 3oth August 2025.

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Governance Africa Foundation (GAfF) has advanced its efforts to foster bilateral economic cooperation between Ghana and Hungary through a high-level business mission to Budapest in August 2025.

The delegation, which included representatives from the Ministry of Education alongside Governance Africa Foundation executives and members, focused on exploring opportunities to attract investors and establish sustainable partnerships in key sectors such as agribusiness, education, trade, and youth entrepreneurship.

Facilitated by the Trade Attaché of the Hungarian Embassy in Accra, the visit also received the support of Ghana’s diplomatic mission in Hungary, led by Mr. Kwesi Asante, Head of Mission. Their roles were instrumental in creating the platform for productive dialogue and strengthening ties between both nations.

At the Hungarian Parliament, foundation’s founder, Mr. George Odamtten, and international evangelist, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, held strategic discussions with the Speaker. The talks highlighted the need to deepen collaboration and create pathways for Hungarian businesses and investors to engage with Ghana’s private sector.

The Founder emphasized Governance Africa Foundation vision of positioning Ghana as a competitive destination for international investment, stressing the foundation’s role as a bridge between Ghana and global partners. He noted that such engagements open the door for mutually beneficial economic cooperation that will drive growth in both countries.

With promising prospects emerging from the visit, Governance Africa Foundation is poised to expand its facilitation of trade and investment dialogue, reinforcing its role as a key platform for international business relations and a driver of Ghana’s long-term development agenda.

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The Ghana–Hungary Agribusiness Stakeholders Forum came off successfully on 30th July 2025 at the Hungarian Embassy in Accra, under the theme: “Feeding Futures Together: Ghana–Hungary Partnership for Agribusiness Innovation.”

The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of Hungary and the Governance Africa Foundation (GAfF) as part of a growing effort to foster sustainable agribusiness collaboration between both countries.

The Forum brought together key institutions and influential stakeholders in the agribusiness and development finance space, including: the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat, Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Ghana EXIM, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

In the technical presentations segment, Agrofeed Kft, a leading Hungarian livestock feed manufacturer, shared insights into their operations across Europe and their commitment to establishing a presence in Ghana. The company expressed a strong interest in identifying local district-level opportunities to set up feed plants tailored to various livestock sectors. Agrofeed emphasized the importance of quality animal nutrition in advancing productivity and food security.

Additionally, a presentation was delivered on behalf of Balbona TETRA Kft, one of Hungary’s prominent poultry breeding companies. Delivered by the Commercial Attaché of the Hungarian Embassy, the presentation highlighted the company’s global role in poultry genetics, hatchery solutions, and export trade. Their readiness to explore strategic partnerships within Ghana’s poultry sector was met with enthusiasm from stakeholders.

Governance Africa Foundation is a development-focused civil society organization committed to promoting governance and sustainable livelihoods. Its flagship initiative, the Schools and Households Agriculture Revival Program (SHARP), is a nationwide youth and community-centered agricultural program aimed at instilling entrepreneurship and food self-sufficiency through crop cultivation, animal rearing, and agribusiness training in schools and homes across Ghana.

The forum served as a timely platform for forging stronger ties between Hungarian agribusiness players and Ghanaian institutions. It is expected to spark a series of follow-up engagements and pilot projects across regions, particularly in areas of poultry production, feed manufacturing, and agribusiness financing.