The Ho Technical University on Monday, 17th November 2025, hosted the maiden edition of the Agriculture, Technology & Sustainability Conference, a landmark gathering aimed at reshaping Ghana’s food systems in line with global sustainability goals. The event, held under the theme “Rethinking the Future of Food and Its Allied Systems in an Era of Sustainability and Circularity,” brought together policymakers, researchers, academics, and industry players to discuss transformative pathways for Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu joined the conference as part of efforts to strengthen regional collaboration on agriculture, innovation, and sustainability.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Ben Quarshie Honyenuga, Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to technology-driven and sustainability-focused academic training. He noted that the university’s mission aligns strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 17 (Partnerships). According to him, HTU is dedicated to providing hands-on training, applied research, and innovation-led learning models that respond directly to the evolving demands of food production and agricultural development.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah made a compelling case for a complete rethinking of Africa’s food systems. He underscored the urgent need to leverage science, research, innovation, and modern technology to drive sustainable food production on the continent. He highlighted the “Seeds of Sovereignty” initiative, a programme designed to develop nine strategic food crops to reduce Ghana’s dependency on imports. Prof. Danquah emphasized that agricultural innovation remains key to ensuring national food sovereignty and long-term economic transformation.

The second keynote speaker, Prof. Mrs. Ibok Nsa Oduro, called for a critical shift in national policy direction and mindset. She stressed that sustainable food systems cannot be achieved without deliberate investment in human resource development, leadership, and capacity-building. According to her, sustainability must be embedded not only in policy but also in the consciousness of all actors within the food value chain.

Addressing participants, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, outlined major government initiatives aimed at reshaping Ghana’s agricultural landscape. He highlighted the Feed Ghana Programme, a flagship intervention under the government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AITA), which seeks to boost food production, strengthen the agricultural value chain, and enhance the supply of raw materials for agro-processing industries. He further underscored government’s commitment to strengthening institutions across the country to support soil testing, scientific research, and productivity improvement.

The Volta Regional Minister commended Ho Technical University and its partners for convening the timely conference, adding that such collaborative platforms are essential for building resilient food systems and unlocking the full potential of agriculture for job creation and economic growth.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to deepen research, innovation, and partnership-driven approaches to securing Ghana’s agricultural future.