The government has taken a significant step toward transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector with the passing-out of 506 Feed Ghana Brigadiers at the Ghana Police Training School in Tesano, Accra.

Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, described the occasion as the “birth of a new national force for agricultural transformation,” emphasizing the critical role the brigadiers will play in advancing food security, job creation, and economic growth.

The newly trained brigadiers, made up of graduates with backgrounds in agriculture and related fields, underwent two weeks of intensive training focused not on technical farming skills, but on discipline, teamwork, resilience, and readiness for field operations.

Mr. Opoku explained that the decision to train the officers at a police facility was deliberate, aimed at instilling values such as punctuality, accountability, and a strong sense of duty, qualities he said are essential for the successful implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme.

“These officers are already technically equipped. What they needed was the discipline and mindset required to deliver results on the ground,” he stated.

The minister noted that the Feed Ghana Programme is a strategic national initiative designed to boost local food production, reduce reliance on imports, strengthen agribusiness, and create employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.

He charged the district coordinators to serve as a vital link between policy and implementation, urging them to work closely with farmers, understand local agricultural challenges, and ensure accurate reporting and accountability.

“You have not been trained to sit in offices. You are expected to engage communities, support farmers, and solve real problems in the field,” he said.

In addition to their public sector roles, the brigadiers will also provide advisory and technical services to private agribusinesses, households, and institutions. According to the minister, the programme has already attracted interest from private companies, with some requesting the deployment of brigadiers even before the official passing-out.

Mr. Opoku further announced that the initiative will be expanded, with plans to recruit and train more agricultural graduates to meet growing demand and strengthen nationwide implementation.

He cautioned the coordinators against creating parallel structures, stressing the importance of working under the supervision of District Directors of Agriculture and in collaboration with existing extension officers.

“The success of this programme will not be measured by speeches in Accra, but by real impact in the districts, more food production, more jobs, and stronger value chains,” he emphasized.

The Feed Ghana Programme forms part of the government’s broader agenda to reposition agriculture as a key driver of economic development, national security, and industrialisation.

The minister concluded by urging the brigadiers to serve with humility, discipline, integrity, and patriotism as they embark on their national assignment.