By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Bolgatanga, May 26, GNA – Dr Charles Nyaaba, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Akuafo Nketewa Company Limited, has called on government to depoliticize the agricultural sector and adopt a successful strategic vision to improve the sector.
He also urged government to adopt successful models such as those led by Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré, whose strategic vision made Ghana dependent on Burkina Faso for vegetables like tomatoes.
Dr Nyaaba made the call at the annual pre-season planning and farmers awards ceremony held in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital.
A total of 22 farmers were awarded with knapsack spraying machines and other farm inputs at the event held on the theme: “Honouring our farmers: Advancing food security and economic growth through active youth entrepreneurship and agribusiness.”
The event brought together farmers from across Districts in the Region, and offered them the opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen networks, reflect on their challenges, plan for the future, and celebrate shared achievements in the 2024 farming season.
The CEO urged the government to improve irrigation infrastructure by renovating the Tono and Vea dams, and to speed up the completion of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam to address rainfall unpredictability in the Region.
Whilst commending Government of Ghana for stabilizing the economy, the currency and reduction in fuel prices, the CEO urged government to stay the course.
“While expressing our appreciation, we also wish to remind government of key promises made to farmers, and call for accelerated action,” the CEO said.
He reminded government of the reintroduction of subsidies on fertilizer, agrochemicals, machinery, and other inputs.
Dr Nyaaba urged government to implement the 24-Hour Economy policy to include agriculture and operationalize its intended Farmer Service Centres, revamp the Northern Star Tomato Factory, the cotton industry, and the shea nut industry as promised.
He called for clarity and implementation of a concrete “Feed Ghana” policy that would truly benefit farmers, minimize political interference in farmer-targeted programmes and agricultural policies, lower production costs through smart subsidies, currency stabilization, and fuel price management.
The CEO reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transform smallholder farming into a sustainable and business-oriented venture, and noted that “This mission cannot be achieved without the dedication and partnership of our farmers, aggregators, and stakeholders.”
As part of the company’s achievements, “We supported over 20,000 rice farmers in the Northern, North East, and Upper East Regions with fertilizer and seeds.
“We provided input support to more than 5,000 soybean farmers in the Northern and Upper East Regions,” he said, adding that the company facilitated production support to over 30,000 sorghum farmers across the Northern and Upper East Regions.
Dr Nyaaba disclosed that the company successfully supplied over 10,000 metric tonnes of sorghum to Guinness Ghana Brewery Limited among other achievements.
Alhaji Fuseini Zakaria, the Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), said climate change was one of the factors that militated against agriculture production in the country.
He stressed the need for collaborative measures to counter climate change menace, adding that farmer Associations such as the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) had significant roles to play in the fight against climate change.
Alhaji Zakaria thanked management of Akuafo Nketewa Company Limited for its contributions to the agricultural sector, congratulated the awardees, and urged them to continue to work to improve the sector.
GNA
Edited by Fatima Anafu-Astanga/Christian Akorlie