Ghana Joins Burkina Faso and Niger To Take Agriculture To Next Level

When Ghana president Nana Akufo-Addo flew into the capital of Burkina Faso this year to meet the country’s young leader Ibrahim Traore, it was the start of something to come. While the relationship between both countries has been frosty at times, it dates back as far as the time of the late Thomas Sankara and Kwame Nkrumah. The relationship was so good that Burkina Faso named the business hub of its capital city after Kwame Nkrumah. Despite some challenges, Burkina Faso and Ghana continue to maintain good security cooperation. There is also a plan on the ground to construct a railway line to connect both countries. The rail line is intended to boost trade between Ghana and Burkina Faso and to lower the price of goods traded between both countries by making transport faster and cheaper. Recently Ghana sent its top Agriculture experts agronomist to join Burkina Faso and Niger for a 3 days high level discussions on addressing climate challenges to ensure improved agriculture production for the countries. The meeting is expected to produce and report to the leaders of the respective countries a consensus for sustainable agriculture in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger. The focus is “Accelerating the global transition to sustainable agriculture. Creating Lands of Opportunity, and Transforming Livelihoods through Landscape Restoration in the Sahel which is referred to as “Lands of Opportunity in the Sahel. The overall goal of this initiative that promises to deepen the counties trade is to demonstrate that nature-based solutions can boost on-farm biodiversity, conserve biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, and protect against habitat loss while maintaining viability and productivity at long term of existing land. While conserving and restoring farm lands in the Sahel is extremely important, what’s more important is securing and protecting the lives of farmers. Ibrahim Traore makes that his top priority. The majority of Burkina Faso’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods. Ensuring security for farmers protects their ability to cultivate and harvest crops without fear of violence, theft, or other security threats. Agriculture is a significant contributor to Burkina Faso’s economy. Secure farming conditions encourage investment in agriculture, fostering economic stability and growth. When farmers feel safe, they are more likely to invest in their farms, adopt new technologies, and contribute to the overall development of the agricultural sector. Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger with their knowledge sharing partnership understand that secure farming environments will lead to increased agricultural productivity. This, in turn, contributes to food security by ensuring a steady and reliable food source for the population.