Operation Feed Yourself was an agricultural initiative introduced in Ghana during the tenure of military leader Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. It began in February 1972 and continued until the end of Acheampong’s regime in 1978.
Led by Colonel Frank George Bernasko, the Commissioner for Agriculture, the program successfully increased food production and promoted self-sufficiency.
It encouraged Ghanaians to take charge of their food supply and reduce reliance on imported goods, aiming to liberate the country from its colonial economic constraints.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, the 2024 presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced intentions to introduce a program similar to the initiative “Operation Feed Yourself.”
This initiative aims to support small-scale farmers and agricultural businesses by enhancing productivity and ensuring food security.
Mahama’s proposal has received positive feedback from various stakeholders in the agricultural sector, who anticipate its potential to boost food production and create employment opportunities for Ghanaian farmers.
Additionally, the former president has pledged to work closely with farmers and agricultural experts to ensure the success of the programme and achieve its objectives.
As the world struggles to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of eradicating hunger by 2030, Mahama’s version of “Operation Feed Yourself” offers hope and model for other African countries. The policy’s focus on independence, empowering regional farmers, and infrastructure investment is a natural fit with the SDGs’ call for sustainable agriculture and food security.
