Launch of the Ghana Seed Partnership: Strengthening Ghana–Netherlands Collaboration in Agribusiness

As part of the Dutch Horticulture Trade Mission to Ghana, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, together with the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), and other partners, officially launched the Ghana Seed Partnership (GSP) on Wednesday, 29th October 2025, during the 7th Agrofood & Plastprintpack Fair at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The Ghana Seed Partnership, implemented by GNBCC and Advance Consulting with support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, aims to strengthen Ghana’s horticultural seed sector by fostering innovation, improving quality standards, and enhancing collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders.

Opening the event, Mr. Fred Frimpong (GNBCC) and Ms. Nieke Westerik (Advance Consulting) explained that the GSP builds on years of Dutch–Ghanaian collaboration in agriculture and now focuses on sustainable, market-driven solutions. They highlighted the partnership’s goal of building a sustainable, high-performing seed sector that supports smallholder farmers, agribusinesses, and Ghana’s broader agricultural transformation agenda. They also emphasized the importance of co-creation among farmers, private companies, and public institutions to enhance access to quality seeds and technical support.

The partnership brings together key actors including Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), Truvalu, Simba, Enza Zaden, Bakker Brothers, IWAD, Profyta, East-West Seed, Rijk Zwaan, Zasco, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), SeedNL, and Advance Consulting.

Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Jeroen Verheul, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ghana, stated that this new partnership represents a shift from a traditional donor–recipient relationship to one of equal collaboration, linking Ghanaian and Dutch stakeholders across government, business, and research institutions.

“We are no longer in a donor–receiver relationship; we are in an equal partnership, bringing together participants from Ghana and the Netherlands, from both the public and private sectors. This partnership has great potential, and Ghana needs that potential,” the Ambassador said.

He emphasized that agriculture remains a cornerstone of both Ghana’s and the Netherlands’ economies, noting that Ghana’s agricultural sector contributes over 20% to its GDP and plays a key role in employment and rural livelihoods. He also highlighted the Netherlands’ commitment to sharing its expertise in innovation, technology, and value chain development to help Ghana produce more locally and reduce reliance on imports of vegetables such as onions and tomatoes.

“We want Ghana to produce more of its own vegetables and even export in the future. The Netherlands will remain a strong and reliable partner, not just as a donor, but as a trading and investment partner committed to innovation and sustainability,” he concluded.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Solomon Gyan Ansah – Director of Crop Services reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the partnership, noting that it aligns with national priorities in seed production, certification, and commercialization. He highlighted the need to strengthen research and policy support while leveraging Dutch expertise to improve the availability and quality of vegetable seeds in Ghana.

“We must ensure that farmers have access to the right, high-quality seeds and the right environment to thrive. This partnership will help us move from seed production to commercialization and ensure Ghana benefits fully from its comparative advantages,” Mr. Solomon noted.

The event concluded with a symbolic seed planting ceremony and sod cutting, joined by Mr. Charles Nornoo from GROW 24 and Dr. Solomon Gyan Ansah from the Ministry, marking the start of a new phase in Ghana–Netherlands cooperation, rooted in partnership, innovation, and shared growth for the horticulture sector.