By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, July 8, GNA – Government has deployed 506 Feed Ghana Brigade officers nationwide to strengthen agricultural extension services and provide technical support to farmers and agribusinesses.
The officers, drawn from agricultural colleges and universities, will support the Feed Ghana Programme by working with farmers, agribusinesses, households, schools and institutions to boost food production and security.
Mr Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, announced this at a pass-out parade for the officers on Wednesday after they completed a two-week training programme at the National Police Training School (NPTS) in Accra.
He said the brigadiers would serve as the link between national agricultural policies and implementation at the district level.
Mr Opoku said they would support farmers through extension services, coordinate programme activities, monitor implementation, collect field data, identify challenges and provide technical support to agribusinesses, households, schools and other institutions.
“You came here as selected officers and volunteers; you leave here as ambassadors of production, discipline, hard work and national renewal,” the Minister said.
The Minister explained that although the recruits were already qualified agricultural professionals, they underwent training at the Police Training School to instil discipline, teamwork, resilience and a strong sense of public service.
He urged the officers to work under the supervision of District Directors of Agriculture and collaborate with existing agricultural extension officers.
“You are not being deployed to establish a parallel agricultural system… Success will come through cooperation, not competition; coordination, not duplication; and teamwork, not parallel structures,” he stated.
Mr Opoku disclosed that the Ministry had received requests from private agribusinesses seeking the services of the newly trained brigadiers and announced plans to recruit and train more graduates as the programme expands.
Mr Bright Demordzi, National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, said the training combined technical agricultural knowledge with leadership, ethics, communication, conflict resolution and physical fitness.
He said the officers were equipped to complement existing extension services and support farmers in implementing the programme across the country.
Mr Frederick Kofi Blagodzi, Director-General in charge of Human Resource Development at the Ghana Police Service, urged the officers to uphold professionalism and integrity.
He asked them to serve as worthy ambassadors of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, saying their conduct would reflect the investment Government had made in preparing them for national service.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Edward Acquah