Jobs grow in Ghana’s agriculture, but gaps persist

GHANA (ILO News) - A recent data integration and validation workshop under the JobAgri project has found that while agriculture remains one of the largest sources of employment in Ghana, job quality, productivity and equity remain uneven.

The workshop held in Ghana from 22 to 23 April, brought together government officials, technical experts and development partners to review extensive data collected from farm households, corporate farms, and value chain businesses. The findings paint a complex picture of a sector that is vibrant but constrained by structural challenges.

James Ayittey, Acting Director of Statistics, Research and Information Directorate (SRID) of Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), speaking on behalf of the Chief Director of MoFA, formally opened the workshop. He highlighted agriculture's central role in Ghana's economy, noting its significant contribution to GDP and employment. At the same time, he underscored persistent challenges, including informality, seasonal employment, gender disparities and declining youth participation, all of which affect productivity and sector transformation.

Enhancing productivity, promoting decent work, and strengthening value chains can lead to increased incomes, reduced rural poverty, improved food systems, and stronger linkages with agro-processing and industry. It is within this context that the JobAgri project is both timely and highly relevant

• James Ayittey, SRID, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana

A sector built on family labour

At the core of Ghana's agricultural system is family labour. The data show that the majority of farm work is carried out by household members, with minimal reliance on formal employment. Permanent workers account for less than 3 per cent of total agricultural labour.

Farm households are also highly diversified. On average, families split their time almost evenly between farming and off-farm activities, highlighting the importance of multiple income streams.

Bigger farms, better returns - but not for everyone

The analysis confirms that larger farms tend to generate higher incomes and achieve better productivity. However, this does not tell the full story.

Smallholder farmers, especially those using high levels of inputs, often struggle with rising costs and vulnerability to climate shocks such as drought. As a result, higher investment does not always translate into higher profits.

Gender inequality remains entrenched

One of the most concerning findings of the analysis is the persistence of gender inequality across the sector. Women are more likely to be engaged in casual and seasonal work, while men dominate permanent and skilled roles.

The wage gap is also significant, with women earning substantially less than men for similar tasks. Participants further noted that women's contributions, particularly in unpaid and support roles, may be underrepresented in the data.

Corporate farms: High investment, low employment impact

Corporate farms, often seen as engines of modernization, tell a different story.

Although individual corporate farms generate substantial labour demand, their overall contribution to regional employment remains minimal, accounting for only about 0.1 per cent of total labour compared to smallholder farming households

Mechanization, while improving efficiency, has reduced demand for labour, particularly for seasonal workers. At the same time, the expansion of large-scale farms has led to land access tensions in some areas, with local farmers reporting displacement.

Value chains offer better pay but less security

Beyond the farm, the agri-food value chain presents more attractive economic opportunities, especially for young people. Activities such as trading, processing, and transport often generate higher returns per day of work compared to farming.

However, this comes with trade-offs. Employment in value chains is largely informal, dominated by casual labour with little job security. Fewer than 2 per cent of workers have formal contracts, and union representation is almost non-existent.

Opportunities for reform

Despite the challenges, stakeholders agreed that the sector holds significant potential for transformation.

Small-scale businesses within the value chain were identified as key drivers of employment, particularly for women. Expanding these opportunities, alongside improving farm productivity, could help balance efficiency with job creation.

Participants also called for stronger labour protections, targeted gender policies, and better integration of technology to attract young people while safeguarding livelihoods.

Looking ahead

The workshop concluded that Ghana's agri-food sector stands at a crossroads. While it continues to absorb large numbers of workers, the nature of that employment must evolve to meet the demands of a modern economy.

The validated findings provide critical evidence for policymakers, offering a roadmap to build a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agricultural sector.

This is an important moment for the project, where we move from data collection to engaging deeply with the findings and shaping their meaning together.

• Yacouba Diallo, senior specialist on Labour Statistics at the ILO.