MiDA Calls on Chiefs to Release Land for Ghana’s 24-Hour Agricultural Mission

The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) of Ghana has issued a strategic appeal to traditional authorities, urging them to facilitate land access for the ambitious 24-Hour Plus Programme (24HPP). This initiative, spearheaded by President John Dramani Mahama, aims to revolutionize Ghana’s agriculture through large-scale Agro-Ecological Parks (AEPs). The success of this vision, according to MiDA, is fundamentally tied to the availability of contiguous, arable land—a resource under the custodianship of chiefs and traditional councils.

Introduction: The Land-Agriculture Nexus in Ghana’s Development

Ghana’s agricultural sector stands at a pivotal juncture. Despite the proximity of the vast Volta Basin to Lake Volta, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes, significant agricultural productivity gaps persist, primarily due to infrastructure deficits and fragmented landholdings. The government’s response, encapsulated in the 24-Hour Plus Programme, proposes a paradigm shift from subsistence to commercial, integrated agro-industrial farming. At the heart of this transformation is the concept of the Agro-Ecological Park—a 24-hour operational zone combining cultivation, processing, storage, and logistics. However, as a recent high-level inspection by the MiDA Board Chairman, Dr. Charles Abugre, and CEO, Mr. Alexander Kofi-Mensah Mould, revealed, the single most critical determinant is the release of land by traditional custodians. This article analyzes the appeal, the proposed model, the on-ground challenges, and the path forward for Ghana’s agricultural export ambitions.

Key Points: Understanding the Core Appeal and Proposals

The MiDA mission to the White and Black Volta basins crystallized several non-negotiable priorities for the 24HPP’s success. The following points outline the immediate requests, commitments, and identified bottlenecks.

Direct Appeal to Traditional Leadership

During a courtesy call on the Worawora Traditional Council, MiDA’s CEO, Mr. Mould, explicitly stated: “The success of the 24-hour agricultural programme depends heavily on land availability. We are counting on you to help unlock the agricultural potential of this area.” This appeal is not merely a request but a recognition of the constitutional and customary role of chiefs in land administration in Ghana. The 1992 Constitution vests customary lands in the stools, managed by chiefs and traditional councils on behalf of their communities.

Pilot Commitment from Worawora

In a significant boost to the initiative, Daasebre Sarfro Baah III, Chief of Worawora, announced the commitment of thousands of acres for the economic cultivation of high-value export crops like ginger, chilli pepper, and rice. This pledge demonstrates the potential for partnership between state development agencies and traditional institutions. The chief, however, conditioned this support on corresponding government investment in irrigation infrastructure and farm inputs, highlighting the interdependent nature of the success equation.

The Agro-Ecological Park (AEP) Model

The proposed AEPs are designed as integrated, 24-hour agro-industrial zones. Their core functions include:

Primary Production: Large-scale, mechanized farming of selected crops.
Primary Processing: On-site or nearby facilities for cleaning, grading, and basic processing (e.g., drying ginger, milling rice).
Storage & Logistics: Modern warehousing, including cold storage for perishables, and consolidated logistics for transport.
Export Facilitation: Streamlined phytosanitary and quality control processes to meet international market standards.

The model aims to create economies of scale, reduce post-harvest losses, ensure consistent quality for export, and generate substantial formal employment.

Critical Infrastructure Gaps Identified

The inspection tour exposed severe infrastructural deficiencies that could derail the AEP vision:

Irrigation Deficit: Despite being adjacent to Lake Volta and the Volta River, many communities in the basin rely solely on rain-fed agriculture. “Water is flowing beside these communities, yet farmers depend on rain,” noted Mr. Mould, calling this a massive inefficiency.
Substandard “Dam” Projects: In the Northern Region, the inspection found that some facilities built under the “One Village One Dam” initiative were inadequate. “What we saw in some cases are dugouts masquerading as dams,” Mr. Mould stated critically. These structures likely lack the capacity for year-round irrigation, rendering them ineffective for commercial-scale AEPs.

Background: The 24-Hour Plus Programme and MiDA’s Mandate

To understand the current appeal, one must contextualize it within Ghana’s broader agricultural and economic policy framework.

Origins and Objectives of the 24-Hour Plus Programme

The 24-Hour Plus Programme is a flagship socio-economic initiative of President Mahama’s administration. Its core premise is to stimulate economic activity beyond conventional daylight working hours, with a primary focus on transformative sectors like agriculture and agro-processing. In agriculture, “24-hour” refers not to literal day-night farming (which is limited to specific crops and technologies), but to the creation of integrated value chains that operate continuously—farming, processing, packaging, and logistics happening in a seamless, time-efficient cycle to maximize output and value addition. The “Plus” denotes the integration of supporting services and infrastructure.

MiDA’s Role and Authority

The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) is a statutory agency established by an Act of Parliament (MiDA Act, 2016 – Act 921) to coordinate, implement, and manage programmes and projects under the Millennium Challenge Compact between Ghana and the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). While the 24HPP is a presidential initiative, MiDA is tasked with the design and implementation of the agricultural infrastructure components, particularly the development of the AEPs, drawing on its experience in large-scale project management and its focus on agricultural transformation.

The Volta Basin Focus

The White and Black Volta basins were selected for the pilot phase due to their inherent advantages: vast arable land, proximity to the Volta Lake (a potential major irrigation source), and existing agricultural activity. The basin spans parts of the Northern, Savannah, and Bono East regions. Developing this corridor is seen as a catalyst for the “Basket of Food” agenda for Ghana’s middle belt.

Analysis: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategic Implications

The MiDA appeal sits at the intersection of land tenure, water resource management, and industrial policy. A deeper analysis reveals the complexity of the mission and the hurdles to overcome.

The Land Tenure Question

In Ghana, over 80% of land is held under customary tenure. Any large-scale agricultural investment requires the willing and transparent consent of traditional authorities and, crucially, the affected communities. The MiDA appeal must navigate potential risks:

Community Consent: Chiefs must ensure the release of land does not disenfranchise local farmers or create social tension. Transparent consultation and fair compensation (often in the form of equity, employment, or community development agreements) are essential.
Land Size and Contiguity: “Thousands of acres” must be assembled in a single, or closely connected, parcel to be viable for mechanized farming and AEP infrastructure. This requires complex negotiations across multiple stool boundaries.
Legal Security: Investors (including the state) require long-term, secure leaseholds or allocations to justify capital expenditure on irrigation and processing plants. The legal framework for such long-term leases from stools must be clear and enforceable.

The Worawora commitment is a positive signal, but replicating this across other traditional areas with different socio-political dynamics will be the real test.

Irrigation: The Non-Negotiable Companion

Land without reliable water is merely terrain. The inspection’s finding on the “dugouts masquerading as dams” points to a critical implementation flaw in past rural water projects. For the 24HPP and AEPs to succeed, irrigation must be:

Technically Adequate: Dams and irrigation schemes must have sufficient storage capacity and conveyance systems (canals, pipes) to supply water for dry-season farming and buffer against erratic rainfall.
Operationally Sustainable: Clear management structures (e.g., Water User Associations) must be established from the outset, with defined cost-recovery mechanisms for operation and maintenance.
Hydrologically Sound: Projects must be based on proper feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments to ensure water availability and prevent negative downstream effects.

The call for government to “back the initiative with irrigation” is therefore a call for technically robust, bankable, and sustainable water infrastructure, not just symbolic water ponds.

Export Ambitions and the Cold Chain Imperative

The identification of Kubungu as a potential cold chain logistics hub connected to Tamale Airport is a strategic insight. Exporting fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, nuts) requires:

Pre-Cooling & Cold Storage: Immediately after harvest to maintain freshness and shelf life.
Refrigerated Transport: From farm to hub to airport.
Air Cargo Capacity: Sufficient and reliable cargo space on flights to European and Asian markets.
Phytosanitary Compliance: Meeting stringent EU and other market import regulations (e.g., GlobalG.A.P., Organic certifications).

The AEP model must incorporate these elements from the design phase. The proposed MiDA technical report is expected to detail the investment requirements and public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks needed to build this cold chain backbone.

Practical Advice: A Roadmap for Stakeholders

Based on the on-ground realities and strategic goals, here is actionable advice for the key actors involved.

For Traditional Authorities (Chiefs & Councils)

Conduct Transparent Community Dialogues: Before any land pledge, hold inclusive meetings with all affected families and farmers to explain the project’s scope, benefits (jobs, infrastructure, royalties), and potential disruptions. Secure broad-based community consent.
Negotiate Clear, Written Agreements: The terms of land release (size, duration, lease type, compensation/benefits) must be documented in a formal agreement between the stool, the government/MiDA, and potentially the private operator. Engage independent legal counsel.
Insist on a “Community Benefit Agreement”: Negotiate tangible benefits for the traditional area, such as a percentage of project equity, dedicated community development funds (schools, clinics), prioritized employment for locals, and infrastructure (roads, electricity) that extends beyond the AEP fence.
Collaborate on Land Use Planning: Work with MiDA and district assemblies to zone the land, clearly separating areas for the AEP, community farmland, conservation, and settlement to prevent future conflicts.

For MiDA and Government Agencies

Bundle Land and Water Proposals: Do not pursue land acquisition in isolation. Present a comprehensive, bankable proposal to chiefs that includes the specific irrigation scheme design, source, and associated costs. Show the complete business case.
Prioritize Feasibility and Engineering: Immediately commission detailed engineering feasibility studies for irrigation in the pledged areas (like Worawora). The “dugout” critique must be heeded by ensuring all water infrastructure meets minimum commercial viability standards.
Develop a Standardized AEP Template: Create a replicable, modular design for AEPs that can be adapted to different crop zones and land sizes. This should include standard layouts for farm blocks, processing yards, storage facilities, and access roads.
Establish a One-Stop-Shop for Investors: Once land and water are secured, MiDA should coordinate with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Lands Commission, and EPA to fast-track permits for private sector investors in processing and export logistics.

For Potential Private Sector Investors & Exporters

Engage Early with MiDA and Chiefs: Do not wait for fully serviced land. Engage in the planning process to ensure the AEP design meets your specific crop and processing needs.
Focus on the Value Chain, Not Just Farming: The greatest margins and job creation are in processing and logistics. Investment should target these downstream segments, using the AEP’s bulk raw material supply as a guarantee.
Secure Off-take Agreements First: Before investing, secure binding agreements with international buyers or large domestic processors. This de-risks the venture and is crucial for financing.
Build Sustainability into Operations: Adopt sustainable water use practices (drip irrigation, water recycling) and soil management plans. This is not just ethical but increasingly a requirement for premium export markets.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions

What exactly is an “Agro-Ecological Park” (AEP)?

An AEP is a geographically defined area where agricultural production is integrated with processing, storage, and logistics services in a coordinated manner. It is “agro-ecological” in that it should promote sustainable farming practices suited to the local environment, and “park” in that it is a planned, zoned industrial-like space for agriculture. It is a physical manifestation of the 24-hour value chain concept.

Why is the involvement of chiefs so crucial?

Under Ghana’s customary land tenure system, chiefs are the custodians of the vast majority of the country’s land. Any large-scale, long-term agricultural project requiring hundreds or thousands of acres must obtain the consent and lease from the relevant traditional authority. Without their buy-in and the secured land, the project cannot physically proceed.

How will farmers currently using the land be affected?

This is a critical social issue. The ideal model, as hinted by the Worawora chief’s call for government support, is not to displace existing farmers but to integrate them. This could mean:

Existing farmers becoming outgrowers or contract farmers for the AEP’s central estate or private investors.
Employment of local farmers and youth in the AEP’s operations.
Provision of training and inputs to improve yields for those who continue farming in surrounding areas.

Forced evictions without fair compensation and alternative livelihoods would be socially unacceptable and politically risky. The community benefit agreements mentioned in the Practical Advice section are key to mitigating this.

Is 24-hour farming literally possible?

Not in the sense of working in fields at midnight. The “24-hour” refers to the continuous operation of the *value chain*. For example, while harvesting may occur during the day, processing, packaging, and loading for export can happen around the clock in different shifts. It also symbolizes the goal of maximizing economic activity and productivity from the land asset every single day of the year, moving away to seasonal, rain-dependent farming