By Edward Dankwah
Accra, Dec. 10, GNA – Stakeholders in agriculture and agribusiness across Ghana have congratulated John Dramani Mahama, the President-elect and the entire leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the resounding victory in the 2024 presidential election.
The group, made up of the actors within the agriculture and agribusiness value chain said, “your victory reflects the trust Ghanaians have in your ability to alleviate their suffering and restore hope following the mismanagement and poor implementation of critical poverty alleviation projects and programmes.
The congratulatory message was contained in a statement jointly issued by Ghana Coalition of Grains and Legume Farmers, Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Ghana Association of Agro-inputs.
The others included the Mechanisation Service Providers, Ghana National Association of Cattle Farmers, Farmer Cooperative Network of Ghana and Women In Livestock Value Chain.
It said as dedicated contributors to Ghana’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors, “we are optimistic that your administration will prioritise agriculture, acknowledging its critical role in driving the national economy and ensuring food security.”
The statement said the Group stands ready to collaborate with the government to address the challenges facing farmers and agribusiness operators, fostering sustainable growth and development in the sector.
It said, however, as responsible citizens, they feel compelled to bring to the President-elect’s attention some pressing concerns.
In recent years, they have observed high levels of corruption and poor execution of agricultural programmes and projects, which have led to disappointing results.
It said initiatives such as Planting for Food and Jobs, One Village, One Dam and efforts to combat the adverse effects of galamsey (illegal mining) on farmland, forests, and water bodies have fallen short of their intended objectives.
The statement said as the President-elect prepares to lead the nation, “we respectfully urge you to ensure that agricultural initiatives under your administration are well-designed, inclusive, and effectively executed, free from corruption and personal interests.”
“Ghanaian farmers and agribusiness operators deserve policies and projects that genuinely empower and uplift them,” it added.
They expressed the hope that the individual appointed to lead the Ministry of Agriculture would possess integrity, expertise, and a deep understanding of the sector to serve the collective interest of Ghanaians.
GNA