This paper makes the firm assumption that the effective use of ICT tools such as the mobile phone may hold the key to introducing the needed dynamism and efficiency in agricultural extension delivery in Ghana. It therefore seeks to examine the dynamics of the use of mobile phone among poultry farmers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. One hundred and fifty poultry farmers selected from the Greater Accra Region were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The study showed a high penetration of mobile phones among the poultry farmers. A regression analysis showed that demographic variables such as age, sex, educational level, experience and size of holdings influenced the use of mobile phone. Network failure was cited as the major constraint to the use of mobile phones. There is the need for the required investment to build a more robust infrastructural base for the use of mobile phone as it remains a critical tool to supporting agricultural extension delivery among Ghanaian farmers.

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This study assesses sources of information for vegetable farmers in urban part of Accra, Ghana. One hundred vegetable farmers in the study area were sampled and interviewed using structured questionnaires. Findings revealed that urban vegetable farming is regarded as the business of men. Most of the urban vegetable farmers use radio as a source of agricultural information. Farmers use information on agrochemicals acquired in applying fertilizer, weedicides and pest control. A challenge to the urban vegetable farmers in Accra is poor public relations on the part of agricultural extension agents. The study recommends that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture roll out a programme to educate urban vegetable farmers on the various sources of agricultural information and sponsor adult education programmes in the local languages on national radio and television for farmers to help them make use of different sources of agricultural information effectively.

This paper takes its point of departure from the school of thought that linkages in agricultural commodity value chains may hold the key to making actors in the chain innovative. Ghana's agricultural export sector is characterized by two main types of export: traditional and non-traditional. The traditional agricultural export sector is driven largely by the cocoa industry, while the pineapple industry represents one of the leading commodity industries in the non-traditional export sector. Using a multiple case study methodology, the paper seeks to examine how the policy environment could strengthen value chain linkages and make activities in the value chains more competitive. The study was derived from interactions with actors in the cocoa and pineapple value chains, namely input suppliers, producers, buyers, processors and some support services providers and regulatory agencies. The intention was to assemble their perceptions as interpreted in their own settings. The study showed how the existing policy on research, extension and marketing had encouraged better linkages horizontally and vertically among actors in the pineapple value chain. On the other hand, the policy underpinned by a public sector leadership in the cocoa value chain, had lowered the motivation for stronger linkages in the cocoa value chain. In terms of policy implication, the study makes a strong case for more participation of private sector actors as it is more likely to expand the platform for more interactive learning among actors for their mutual benefit.