Tamale, March 30, – The Competitive African Rice Platform (CARP) Ghana has launched a comprehensive three-year project designed to enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s rice sector through strengthened market systems, institutional coordination, and private sector participation.
The project, titled “Anchoring CARP Ghana as the National Platform for Rice Sector Competitiveness,” seeks to position CARP as a central coordinating body for stakeholders across the rice value chain, promoting inclusive growth and sustainable investment. The initiative is funded by AGRA through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The programme spans all major rice-producing regions in Ghana and is expected to directly benefit approximately 25,300 stakeholders, including 150 CARP member organisations, 150 small and medium-sized enterprises, 20,000 smallholder farmers, and 5,000 women and youth entrepreneurs. Indirectly, around one million rice consumers are anticipated to gain from improvements in product quality, branding, and affordability.
Mr. Victor Nantari, Market Systems Specialist at CARP, said the project adopts a market systems approach, emphasizing long-term transformation rather than direct service delivery. “We aim to develop a private sector-driven platform that strengthens coordination, improves market linkages, and fosters sustainable investment in the rice sector,” he noted.
He further explained that the initiative would facilitate regular policy and business dialogues between government authorities, private sector actors, and farmer organisations to enhance coordination and information sharing. Additionally, the project will establish market engagement mechanisms, business-to-business linkages, and a market intelligence system to guide investment decisions.
Mr. Habibu Mohammed Abdulai, National Coordinator of CARP Ghana, highlighted that the initiative will position CARP as the key advocate for policy alignment with regional strategies, including the ECOWAS Rice Development Strategy, while building the platform’s institutional capacity for long-term sustainability.
During the inception workshop, new executives and board members were elected to steer CARP Ghana’s operations and ensure effective implementation of the project.
Dr. Charles Kwowe Nyaaba, a prominent rice sector stakeholder, underscored the importance of collective action in addressing sector challenges. “CARP plays a critical role in linking farmers, millers, traders, and service providers, while advocating for strategic investments in infrastructure, market access, and capacity building,” he said.
Ms. Sepenica Darko, representing the North East Regional Rice Value Chain Platform under FarmerTribe, praised the project for its potential to improve productivity, resilience, and market access for smallholder farmers, especially in underserved areas.
She expressed optimism that the initiative would create a more inclusive and competitive rice sector, ultimately benefiting both producers and consumers nationwide.
GHBUSS
March 30, 2026
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