The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has inaugurated a nine-member National Seed Council to regulate, certify, and oversee Ghana’s seed industry.
The council has been mandated to facilitate the timely certification of locally developed seeds to enable Ghanaian seed companies to bring quality seeds onto the market and enhance agricultural productivity.
The National Seed Council is expected to play a critical role in strengthening the country’s seed sector by ensuring the availability of certified, high-quality seeds to farmers, thereby supporting the country’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The council is chaired by a representative of the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Abubakari Mumuni.
Other members include the Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof. Michael Darko Asante; Director of the Crop Services Directorate, Dr Solomon Gyan Ansah; Director of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate, Eric Bentsil Quaye; and a representative of the Seed Growers Association of Ghana, Francis Kwasi Adjalo.
The other members are a representative of the National Farmers’ Association, Ebenezer Kwabena Asante — a representative of the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI), Prof. Michael Yaw Osae; and two presidential nominees, Peter Boamah Otokunor and Agnes Kusi.
Locally developed seeds
At the inauguration of the council, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, underscored the critical role of quality seeds in the country’s agricultural transformation efforts, describing the National Seed Council as a vital component of the agricultural value chain.
Mr Dumelo, who led the council members to take the oath of allegiance and secrecy, said that while the government continued to invest in fertilisers, irrigation, mechanisation and farm service centres, the success of those interventions largely depended on the availability of quality seeds.
He stressed that without the right seeds, other agricultural investments would yield limited results.
"Seeds are an integral part of the whole value chain. If you look at the seed situation in Ghana, you will realise that we are trying as much as possible to reduce seed importation and to certify home-grown Ghanaian seeds, and that is where the council comes in, specifically.
"We urge you to expedite those seed applications that come so that it becomes easier for home-grown Ghanaian companies to be able to get the certification that they need so that the seeds come onto the market," he said.
Mr Dumelo urged members of the council to serve with dedication and commitment, and to expedite the processing and certification of seed applications, particularly those submitted by local seed companies.
He said the government was working to reduce dependence on imported seeds by promoting the development and certification of locally produced varieties.
The Deputy Minister further highlighted the need for improved seed varieties that could withstand challenges such as drought, pests and diseases, adding that changing climatic conditions made seed innovation increasingly important.
Assurance
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Mumuni, expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the confidence reposed in members, pledging their commitment to advancing Ghana’s seed sector.
He assured stakeholders that the members would work diligently to meet expectations and contribute meaningfully to the development of the agricultural sector.
Alhaji Mumuni stated that the council would bring together experienced professionals from key institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), to provide their expertise in driving the council’s mandate.
He emphasised the council’s readiness to collaborate and quickly mobilise its members to pursue initiatives that would strengthen seed development, certification and distribution in Ghana.
The Chairman further expressed optimism that through teamwork, dedication and innovation, the National Seed Council would play a pivotal role in improving access to quality seeds.
