By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, March 13, GNA – The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has praised the government for allocating GH₵1.5 billion to the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) Programme.
The association expressed satisfaction that the government had honored a key promise made to farmers during the 2024 election campaign.
“We think that it is commendable for the government to work on its talk and be committed to its campaign promises,” said Mr. Bismark Nortey, Acting Executive Director of PFAG, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
Mr. Nortey shared his views on the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, which was delivered by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to Parliament in Accra on Tuesday.
The budget’s theme was “Resetting the Economy for the Ghana We Want.”
The government allocated GH₵1.5 billion for the AETA Programme, covering key components like the Feed Ghana Programme, Ghana Grains Development Project, Vegetable Development Project, and Nkokor Nketenkete.
The Minister also noted that sector ministers would present detailed reports to Parliament, including performance evaluations and sector-specific policy interventions to tackle challenges at various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Mr. Nortey, however, expressed a desire for a larger allocation for agriculture.
“If you observe a lot of discussions around economic recovery and transformation, it is supposed to be focused on the agricultural sector.
“So, the expectation is that once there is an allocation to the sector, that allocation should constitute a huge chunk for the agricultural sector,” he said.
Mr. Nortey stated that with the government’s expenditure of GH₵291 billion, the GH₵1.5 billion allocation for agriculture seemed insufficient, and they had expected a larger share.
He also called for more clarity on the implementation of some projects, saying, “We await the Minister for Food and Agriculture to give us specific details.”
Mr. Nortey noted that the government planned to procure and distribute seeds to farmers under the green and vegetable projects, along with fertilizers.
GNA