Aligning Public Spending with National Priorities for Agricultural Transformation

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the National Development Planning Commission, is facilitating a review of agricultural budget trends and investment priorities in Ghana.

Government officials, development partners, researchers, and civil society representatives convened in Accra today for a Stakeholder Validation Workshop focused on public expenditure in Ghana’s agrifood sector. Organized under FAO’s Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) programme, the workshop showcased new analysis on how public funds were allocated to agriculture from 2016 to 2023, offering valuable insights to guide future investment decisions and policy reforms.

The Public Expenditure Review is a key analytical tool used to support evidence-based policymaking and investment decisions in the food and agriculture sector. The MAFAP programme, implemented by FAO’s Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, has been active in Ghana since 2015, promoting national ownership and supporting strategic policy reforms.

 “The data and insights generated by this review are crucial for identifying funding gaps, re-prioritizing investments, and ensuring our agricultural spending aligns with national development goals,” said Priya Gujadhur, FAO representative to Ghana (ai) in an address made on her behalf. “This kind of collaboration and validation by national stakeholders reinforces our shared goal of building a more resilient and inclusive food system.” 

Participants engaged in lively discussions, sharing views on the drivers of public spending trends and identifying areas where increased investment or policy attention is needed. Feedback collected will be used to refine the analysis and strengthen its relevance for ongoing policy processes.

By strengthening transparency and accountability in public spending, the MAFAP programme continues to support Ghana’s efforts to transform its agrifood sector, improve livelihoods, and advance food and nutrition security.

About MAFAP 

The Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) programme supports countries in using data and economic analysis to guide policy reform and investment decisions in the agrifood sector. Since 2009, MAFAP has contributed to 47 policy reforms across 13 countries, promoting more effective and inclusive agricultural development.