Ghana launches National Seed Council to strengthen seed quality and local production
The new council will guide seed policy, improve certification and support Ghana‘s plan to reduce reliance on imported seeds.
GHANA – Ghana has officially launched the National Seed Council (NSC), a new body that will oversee the country’s seed sector as the government steps up efforts to improve access to quality seeds and increase local production.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture introduced the council during a ceremony held in Accra on June 25. The council operates under the Plants and Fertilizer Act, 2010 (Act 803), and will advise the minister on seed policy while overseeing seed production, certification, distribution and quality standards across the country.
The ministry said the council will help farmers gain better access to certified planting materials and support higher farm output.
“The National Seed Council should play a key role in improving producers’ access to quality plant material, while contributing to strengthening agricultural productivity and food security in Ghana,” the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said in a statement.
According to comments reported by the Ghana News Agency, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture John Dumelo said the council will also help speed up the processing and certification of seed varieties produced within the country.
The launch forms part of Ghana’s wider plan to strengthen its seed system and reduce dependence on imported seeds. In November last year, the ministry announced plans to begin cutting seed imports from the 2025/2026 farming season by expanding local seed breeding and production.
The government continues to work with international partners to support that effort. Earlier this year, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced funding of US$3 million (US$3 million) for the construction of a modern rice seed production facility in northern Ghana. In 2023, the Korea International Agriculture Program (KOPIA) started a US$27 million (US$27 million) project to develop 100 hectares of mechanized and irrigated farmland that aims to produce more than 1,200 tonnes of quality rice seed each year.
Despite these investments, Ghana still relies heavily on informal seed markets. Official figures show that nearly 80% of seeds used in the country come from informal channels. This limits the use of certified seeds and affects the quality of planting materials available to farmers.
Through faster seed certification and stronger quality control, the government hopes more farmers will adopt improved seed varieties that can better withstand drought and crop diseases while supporting higher agricultural production.
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