The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved an $18.8 million grant to the Government of Ghana to support implementation of the Regional West Africa Resilient Rice Value Chains (REWARD) Project.
The project is designed to increase domestic rice production, strengthen food security, and create jobs across the agricultural value chain. It will help improve rice productivity, market systems, and the competitiveness of locally produced rice, while reducing Ghana’s dependence on imports.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, sustaining livelihoods and contributing significantly to food security. Yet domestic rice production has not kept pace with rising demand, leaving the country reliant on imports and vulnerable to global price fluctuations.
REWARD will address these challenges through investments in climate-resilient rice production systems, improved access to quality inputs and mechanization, and expanded irrigation and land development in key production areas.
The initiative will also support the modernization of rice processing facilities, strengthen market linkages, and encourage greater private sector participation across the rice value chain.
Implementation will focus on selected districts in Ghana’s Northern Savannah Ecological Zone, an area with strong agricultural potential but persistent constraints from climate risks, weak infrastructure, and limited market integration.
“This project will help strengthen Ghana’s rice value chain by increasing productivity, improving market access, and supporting agribusiness development,” said Halima Hashi, Country Manager, Ghana Country Office, African Development Bank Group. “By investing in climate-resilient agriculture, the initiative will contribute to food security, job creation, and more inclusive economic growth.”
The REWARD Project aligns with Ghana’s national development priorities, including its agricultural transformation and food security agenda under the Feed Ghana Programme. It also supports the African Development Bank’s strategic priorities of climate-resilient agriculture, private sector development, and inclusive growth, while contributing to broader regional efforts to strengthen food systems and resilience across West Africa.
