Ghana has officially inaugurated the National Seed Council (NSC) to regulate the seed sector and improve access to quality planting materials. The eight-member body, chaired by Alhaji Abubakari Mumuni, was installed on June 25 in Accra.
The council operates under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and derives its mandate from the Plants and Fertilizer Act of 2010.
Its responsibilities include advising the minister on seed policy, overseeing regulation, and ensuring compliance with production and certification standards.
Deputy Minister John Dumelo stressed the critical role of quality seeds in agricultural transformation during the inauguration ceremony.
He urged the council to accelerate certification processes for locally developed varieties.
“Without the right seeds, other agricultural investments will yield limited results,” Dumelo stated.
Push for seed sovereignty
The inauguration supports Ghana’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported seeds. The government announced plans last November to end seed imports starting from the 2025/2026 cropping season.
International partners are backing this effort. The Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) has a $27 million project to produce 1,200 metric tons of rice seed annually.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently committed $3 million for a modern rice seed facility in northern Ghana.
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Despite these initiatives, the informal seed market remains dominant. According to official data, nearly 80% of seeds used in Ghana come from informal channels.
This situation limits the adoption of certified varieties and complicates quality control.
The council aims to address these challenges by streamlining certification and strengthening quality oversight.
Authorities hope faster processes will encourage farmers to adopt higher-yielding, climate-resilient seed varieties better adapted to drought and crop diseases
Aicha KOUROUMA
