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Ghana: Cost effective options for inclusive and sustainable development

Author

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  • Aragie, Emerta A.
  • Pauw, Karl
  • Jiang, Shiyun
  • Thurlow, James
  • Jones, Eleanor

Abstract

In this policy brief, we present findings of a systematic evaluation and ranking of investment options for Ghana’s agrifood system based on their cost-effectiveness in achieving multiple development outcomes, including agrifood gross domestic product (GDP) growth, agrifood job creation, poverty reduction, declining undernourishment, and lowering diet deprivation. Additionally, the study assesses their environmental footprints, focusing on water consumption, land use, and emissions. In Ghana, extension in agronomy and post-harvest food loss reduction are the most cost-effective ways to improve social outcomes, including notably reducing poverty and undernourishment levels. Meanwhile, advisory services in livestock and support to small and medium enterprise (SME) processors are highly ranked in accelerating agrifood GDP and employment. Moreover, extension services for agronomy and climate, and investments in mechanization are also highly ranked. However, many of these cost-effective investments come with relatively high environmental footprints, which highlights potential tradeoffs. The study further reveals shifts in the cost-effectiveness ranking of investment options over time and moderately so in the presence of extreme production shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Aragie, Emerta A. & Pauw, Karl & Jiang, Shiyun & Thurlow, James & Jones, Eleanor, 2026. "Ghana: Cost effective options for inclusive and sustainable development," Agrifood System Diagnostics Country Series 9, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:afsdcs:181872
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/181872
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aragie, Emerta A. & Artavia, Marco & Pauw, Karl, 2019. "Strategic public spending: Scenarios and lessons for Ghana," IFPRI discussion papers 1852, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Karl Pauw & James Thurlow, 2015. "Prioritizing Rural Investments in Africa: A Hybrid Evaluation Approach Applied to Uganda," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 27(3), pages 407-424, July.
    3. Benfica, Rui & Cunguara, Benedito & Thurlow, James, 2019. "Linking agricultural investments to growth and poverty: An economywide approach applied to Mozambique," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 91-100.
    4. Kumar, Naveen & Maiti, Dibyendu, 2024. "Long-run macroeconomic impact of climate change on total factor productivity — Evidence from emerging economies," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 204-223.
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