The air in the Agona Nkwanta market is full of sounds and smells: spicy pepper, sweet fruits, the earthy scent of yam and cassava, and the fresh, salty scent of the Atlantic.
This bustling place, far from government offices, is where a national idea comes to life: Eat Ghana, Grow Ghana, and Secure the Future. This powerful goal of relying on ourselves is not achieved by rules or laws, but by the steady, daily work of everyday people.
To understand how Ghana gets its food, we must look past big reports and meet the unsung heroes who move it. Right in the middle of this busy market is Rebecca Noah. For 25 years, her fresh, local fish has been spread out on trays directly on the market street.
This simple spot is a vital, fixed part of the market. “I have no store or shade,” she explains. “Whether it is rain or shine, I must be here.” Her hands; strong and worn from work, sort the morning’s catch.
They show a lifetime spent connecting Ghana’s waters to its dinner tables. Her story proves that Ghana’s future is built not by big plans, but by the conscious, daily choices of its people.
For Rebecca Noah, Ghana’s food security starts before the sun comes up.
She depends on local fishermen who bring their canoes straight to the coast nearby. These small catches like tilapia, mackerel, and salmon are the main protein for thousands of families in Agona Nkwanta and its environs. This system is the real meaning of “GrowGhana” getting fresh food from our own waters.
“The quality of the fish is everything,” Rebecca says loudly over the market noise. “When people buy from me, they know the fish is fresh and local. They trust my hands and the hands of the fishermen.”
But this trade has many problems. Challenges begin right at the coast: galamsey activities affecting water bodies, high fuel costs for the canoes, and needingice blocks constantly to keep the fish fresh on the way to the market.
Her biggest worry is waste. “If the ice melts or the transport is late, the fish spoils. That loss isn’t just my money; it’s food gone forever for the community.”
Securing the future: new investments and hope
Securing Ghana’s future relies not only on the endurance of vendors like Rebecca but also on new investments and hope from its citizens. This commitment is shared by Emmanuel Yeboah, an accountant in Agona Nkwanta who is planning to transition into farming.
Emmanuel explained that the campaign “GrowGhana” is all about raising awareness: “The campaign is to spread the awareness of focusing on the things that are produced in Ghana to make sure that we grow, we eat, and promote everything that is made in Ghana.”
He added that the goal of “Eat Ghana” is simple: to achieve food security and self-reliance so the country can avoid costly imports. “We need to stop spending huge sums of money on foods that can be produced right here,” he stated.
Emmanuel outlined several challenges that stop Ghana from achieving this dream. One key issue is the Ghanaian mentality that everything imported seems to be more important and of better quality than what is produced locally. Additionally, the lack of good access roads from rural communities makes it hard to transport food to urban markets. Finally, due to the lack of storage facilities, food often goes to waste when farmers have a bumper harvest.
The solutions, he believes, are clear: “The government should invest in fixing the roads so they are accessible, and we need availability of storage facilities.”
Ghana’s food security is built into daily life. It is in Rebecca Noah’s 25 years of hard work and in the dedicated choices of citizens like Emmanuel Yeboah.
The nation needs feeding, and the answer comes from the sea, moves through the market, and is enjoyed in every home, proving that Ghana’s future is being led by its unsung heroes.
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