Hon Seidu Alhassan Alajor
Chereponi

Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity for allowing me to make this Statement on the production of sesame and its economic benefit to rural farmers in Chereponi, North East Region.
Mr Speaker, sesame is a flowering plant cultivated for its edible seeds, which are rich in oil. It is a resilient crop well-suited for dry conditions and plays a significant role in many parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel regions.
Research indicates that Sudan is currently the largest producer globally, followed by countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Tanzania and Ghana. In Ghana, sesame is mainly grown in Chereponi and its neighbouring district in the Northern Region by 88 per cent of its smallholder farmers, typically ranging from 0.3 to 5 hectares. The average yield of sesame in Ghana is approximately 3 bags or 100 kilogrammes per hectare, based on recent data from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The cost of production for growing sesame on an acre is reported to be GH₵1,420, but that yield can vary based on farming practise and environmental factors.
Mr Speaker, a 2010 study revealed that the average yield of sesame in Ghana was 688 kilogrammes per hectare. Sesame production is a vital source of income for many farmers, especially in the rural areas of northern Ghana. The sesame sub-sector provides over 10,000 permanent and seasonal jobs, particularly for farmers, labourers and intermediaries.
Additionally, the offfarm activities associated with the marketing, distribution and processing create more than 15,000 jobs annually. Sesame farming is particularly prominent in Northern Ghana, with over 24,000 farmers in the Northeast Region who engage in sesame production.
In Chereponi alone, over 1,400 farmers produce more than 1,900 metric tonnes of sesame annually. Mr Speaker, beyond employment, sesame exports have become a key contributor to Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings. In 2021/2023, sesame seed exports from Ghana yielded around US$120 million annually, with a peak of over US$687 million. This has positioned Ghana as one of Africa’s leading sesame exporters, and projections suggest that Ghana’s sesame farming will grow by 4.27 per cent annually between 2022 and 2026, reaching nearly US$7 billion by 2027.
Mr Speaker, I must also highlight that sesame farming is contributing to poverty reduction by providing income, generating opportunities for smallholder farmers and their families. Moreover, it is used in various food products like pastry, bread and snacks. The growing demand for sesame-blended food among health-conscious consumers is driving the demand and production of the seed. However, price fluctuation associated with the commodity is holding back the growth of sesame seeds. Consumption of the seed in Ghana is low due to the lack of public awareness about its usefulness and health benefits. In addition, the perception of the seed as a cash crop cultivated for export rather than a food source also contributes to the low domestic patronage.
In a news article by Ghana News Agency in 2023, it was reported that most farmers in the Sissala, an enclave in the Upper West Region, which produces about 100,000 tonnes of maize yearly, are shifting to sesame farming due to rising costs in maize production. Mr Speaker, the benefits of sesame farming are numerous. It has diversified Ghana’s agriculture system, reducing the country’s reliance on traditional crops like maize, millet and groundnuts. This diversification provides farmers with an alternative income source and strengthens resilience against market volatility. In fact, many smallholder farmers in Chereponi refer to sesame as their “Cocoa Farm”. The high demand for sesame has also created employment opportunities at various stages of production, from farming to processing. Both skilled and unskilled labourers are engaged in the value chain, contributing to rural development. For example, a sesame farmer in Chereponi can support their family, pay school fees and meet other basic needs. This makes the sesame seed a driver of rural development.
Mr Speaker, despite these benefits, the sesame industry faces several challenges, especially in Chereponi. One of the main issues is low productivity, as sesame yields in Ghana are relatively low compared to other producers. This is due to outdated farming practices, limited access to improved varieties and inadequate quality standards along the value chain, which impacts the competitiveness of Ghana’s sesame on the international market.
Additionally, sesame farmers face difficulties such as a poor road network, which forces them to transport their product to Togo’s market. The absence of a fixed market price and the influence of middlemen also affect the producer price. Other challenges include lack of proper storage facilities, limited monitoring by agriculture extension officers and inadequate pest control methods, which lead to reduced yields and poor-quality harvest.
Moreover, poor post-harvest practices, such as inadequate drying and improper storage, result in significant losses and reduce profitability for farmers. Mr Speaker, to address these challenges, I recommend that the Government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, invest in research to develop high-yield pest-resistant sesame varieties and improve farming techniques. The Ministry and its relevant agencies should also provide market support, thus improving access to reliable market information and establishing partnerships between farmers and exporters to ensure better prices and market access for farmers.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should, as part of efforts to ensure good yields, provide a training programme on quality control, postharvest management and pest control to improve production standards and reduce losses. Mr Speaker, the Government should also invest in improving the road network in the Chereponi area, especially in farming communities within Chereponi, and establish an irrigation system to support sesame farming, which will ensure productivity and transportation.
I must emphasise that all roads in the Chereponi district are in a completely deplorable state, and I encourage the Government to support the construction of roads to support farmers in the sesame industry. Again, the Government, through its sector Ministers, should assist sesame farmers to assess financial support for farmers to enable them to invest in a better farming method, storage facilities and equipment.
In conclusion, Mr Speaker, sesame production presents a significant opportunity for economic growth and poverty alleviation in Chereponi and the Northern Ghana enclave. By addressing these challenges and investing in the sector, we can create sustainable livelihoods for farmers and position Ghana as a global leader in sesame production.

Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh
Nsawam/Adoagyiri

Mr Speaker, it would not be out of place if I start off by commending Mr Alhassan Alajor, the Member of Parliament for Chereponi, for bringing this matter onto the House floor for a discussion.
I commend him because, sesame is one of the most beneficial products that has often been underrated. The maker of this Statement mentioned in passing, reasons probably why we have not paid attention to this product. The benefits are not far-fetched and is known. I am surprised to hear that a bag of sesame is of that value. If it is the case, it could be the next gold in that part of the country. It has a huge potential.
I am surprised that it has not received the necessary attention and the call that is due it. I can only commend the Member of Parliament and also give him the assurance that I will be part of any effort, in advocating for the anchoring of this product in the narrative of the Minister for Agriculture and other Ministries who matter as far as this product is concerned.
Mr Speaker, this is just the tip of the iceberg; there is a plethora of them. So, for many of these essential products. We are told there are countries in the world whose soil is not that fertile. In any part of our country, you can plant anything, it would germinate and would successfully blossom. So, it feeds into one problem that we have as a country, where we often tend to sleep on our oars. The things we have to do to change our economic fortunes, we do not do them.
We always talk about the traditional crops. Sesame could be classified as a non-traditional export crop, which could be exploited. Mango, in the parts of the Eastern Region—In fact, Ghana is the only country in the entire world where we have two maximum seasons of mango growth. There is nowhere in the world. South Africa, resorts to irrigation Mr Speaker, I will not yield to that invitation.
Mr Speaker, I am looking at you and my attention is focused on you. Yes. So, sesame could be the most important nontraditional export crop or product that we can exploit. It is not just for the health benefits, but also for poverty reduction. I am aware the constituents are already farming in it, but yet they are doing it at a scale that is minimal. Why? Because they do not have the necessary oxygen that will make them expand. They also do not have the know-how.
If the Minister for Food and Agriculture—I wish Mr Eric Opoku, whom I know is a very active person when it comes to such matters. If the Minister for Food and Agriculture and even the Presidency could give it a certain boost, I am sure it will change the lives of the constituents and the Hon Member of Parliament will be a happy person.
Mr Speaker, because of the health benefits and the unique nature of the product, I will implore you that probably this Statement is forwarded to our own Mr Eric Opoku, so that it does not just become one of the Statements that is made and then it gets onto the record. It will get onto the record, but it must attract or elicit the need for action from the duty-bearers to change the narrative. Having said that, I am sure the constituents—He has won his next election—His constituents must be very happy and proud of him for zeroing in on this matter. Let us not let the narrative end here. Let us continue with it. Mr Eric Opoku is a very fine gentleman. I am sure he would be happy to work closely with the Hon Member to change the narrative.
Mr Speaker, having said that, I thank you for the opportunity.