After years of agricultural exchange, relationship building and cross-border collaboration, leaders from Ghana and Nebraska have formalised a major international agricultural partnership.
The partnership seeks to modernise livestock systems, strengthen food security, expand agribusiness infrastructure and create long-term economic opportunities between West Africa and the American Midwest.
The agreement was signed during the Ghana-Nebraska Spring Livestock Modernisation Partnership tour in Nebraska by officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), EcoSyntra LLC, the Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber (GNEBCham) and the Agrihouse Foundation.
The livestock modernisation tour, organised by EcoSyntra and GNEBCham, took a 23-member Ghanaian delegation to Nebraska for meetings with livestock producers, agribusiness leaders, universities, researchers and agricultural innovators across the state.
The agreement
The agreement establishes a 10-year framework for cooperation focused on livestock modernisation, dairy development, agricultural infrastructure, workforce training, academic exchange, climate-resilient agriculture and agribusiness investment.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, the co-Founder of EcoSyntra and GNEBCham Senator Ken Schilz, the co-Founder of GNEBCham and also Founder of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta, Nana Akyaa Akosa, signed for their respective institutions.
The partnership also identifies priority pilot initiatives, including the modernisation of the Tulaku Cattle Market at Ashaiman, the development of the proposed Amrahia Dairy Processing Centre, livestock traceability systems, demonstration dairy farms, technical training hubs and expanded feed and grazing infrastructure.
The agreement establishes pathways for Nebraska-based experts, universities, researchers and technical teams to collaborate directly with Ghanaian institutions and agricultural stakeholders through training programs, demonstration projects, research partnerships and technical exchanges.
Alignment
The partnership also aligns with Ghana’s broader Feed Ghana Programme, which focuses on improving livestock production, expanding feed access, strengthening veterinary systems, modernising husbandry practices, and supporting dairy and meat processing infrastructure.
“This livestock modernisation partnership programme is more than an exchange of knowledge. It is a partnership between two regions determined to advance livestock development.
“Together, Ghana and Nebraska can demonstrate how international cooperation strengthens food security, empowers agribusinesses and builds resilient agricultural systems,” Mr Opoku said.
He said Ghana currently imported nearly $100 million annually in live animals and frozen meat, while dairy imports met approximately 95 per cent of national demand.
He said the agreement represented the culmination of years of foundational work between Ghanaian and Nebraska leaders, universities, producers, agribusiness organisations and policymakers.
Years of collaborations
For her part, Ms Akosa said the agreement reflected years of sustained collaboration between stakeholders in Ghana and Nebraska.
“This agreement reflects the depth of trust, shared purpose, and long-term commitment that has been built between our teams and institutions.
