Ghana’s Grow 24 agenda is putting the Volta River front and center, and for good reason. Goosie Tanoh, who’s leading the charge on the 24-Hour Economy, recently laid out the strategy on Joy FM. The core issue? Logistics costs are crushing the market think 60% of what people pay for food is just for moving it around. Globally, logistics should only eat up about 15% of costs. So, Ghana’s basically at a 45% disadvantage out of the gate.
Here’s the opportunity: streamline the supply chain and you can drive food prices down, maybe by as much as 45%. That’s huge for both consumers and businesses. The Volta River is the lever they’re looking to use it as a backbone for sustainable, cost-effective transport. Waterways like the Mississippi or the Thames have done wonders for industry elsewhere, so there’s solid precedent here.
The numbers speak for themselves. The Volta River’s shoreline runs almost 3,300 miles, offering a natural corridor that can link the entire country at a fraction of current transport costs. Moving goods by water can be up to eight times cheaper than by road. One river barge can replace 15 trucks that’s a serious reduction in both emissions and overhead.
But perhaps the most compelling part of the plan is its inclusivity. This isn’t just a play for large commercial farms there’s a framework in development to bring smallholders into a formal crop system as well. That means more participation, more opportunity, and a more resilient agricultural sector overall.
Bottom line: If this initiative is executed well, Ghana could see lower food costs, greater market access for farmers, and a greener, more efficient logistics network. It’s an ambitious move, but the potential upside for the economy is significant.