The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa East in the Upper West Region, Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has expressed optimism about the numerous interventions introduced by President John Mahama aimed at transforming Ghana’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors.
Dr Jasaw who spoke to NR NEWS in an interview commended the President particularly for his Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda which he believes will ensure food security for the country.
According to him, President Mahama inherited a very ailing economy from the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia led NPP government with a national debt of Ghc 721 billion, an energy sector debt of Ghc 68 billion, cocoa sector debt of Ghc 32.5 billion and an exchange rate of $ 1 to Ghc 15.87, up from $1 to Ghc 4.2 in 2017.
“President Mahama inherited a nation burdened with substantial economic challenges, yet he focused on offering hope and solutions for the future,” Dr. Jasaw noted. “In his state of the nation address, he emphasized key sectors, especially agriculture, which is crucial for transforming the nation’s economy”, Hon Jasaw stated.
He criticised the former regime for presiding over the failed Planting for Food and Jobs program which received over Ghc 3 billion funding over the eight years in governement without addressing the country’s food price inflation volatility at 23.1%.
The Wa East lawmaker expressed worry about the erstwhile NPP Government’s lack of planning to ensure that the country had sufficient food reserves in times of shock.
This he noted reflected in how the Ministry of Food and Agriculture struggled to import food into the country as a result of the impact of climate change when the dry spell hit the country.
“Last year, we faced seven weeks of drought across eight regions in the north, which disrupted food production. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture had to scramble to import food, highlighting the lack of sufficient food reserves”,, Dr Jasaw stated.
President Mahama he said will reverse the situation through the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda and the Feed Ghana Program to help enhance food security and reduce the country’s food import bill.
Ghana he noted imports averagely $ billion worth of food annually and described the Feed Ghana Program as transformative.
“This program focuses on a grains development program, horticultural crop development, and creating value through food production, processing, and trade. It will create jobs, industrialize the sector, and reduce reliance on food imports.”
Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw also salutes President Mahama for acknowledging the role research and innovation will play in his agriculture drive for the country hence placing the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Agriculture Ministry.
“The President has wisely placed the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Agriculture, ensuring that agricultural research outputs are translated into practical, actionable solutions for food production,” he said.
Another intervention mentioned by Dr Jasaw is the Farmer Services Center initiative which is designed to provide small-scale farmers with essential services including access to the machinery, access to seeds and fertilizers.
“The Farmer Services Centers will bridge the gap and help small-scale farmers access the necessary resources to improve their productivity.”, he observed
The Nkoko Nketekete initiative, Dr Jasaw indicated will provide day-old poultry to some 55,000 households, particularly women in 2025. This he said will improve nutrition security and reduce dependence on imported poultry and eggs.
Dr Seidu Jasaw also commended the ministry of Food and Agriculture for launching the Irrigation for Wealth program aimed at expanding irrigation facilities whiles educating the public on water management.
“Irrigation is vital in addressing the unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by climate change. Expanding irrigation and educating farmers on how to effectively use water resources will significantly enhance food production,” Dr Jasaw explained.
The Wa East Member of Parliament urged citizens and businessmen and women to take advantage of the numerous opportunities the several initiatives to invest and create the needed jobs.
“Now is the time for the agri-sector,” he urged. “Local investments are essential, as they ensure the wealth generated stays within the country. There are attractive programs and a favourable tax regime for those willing to invest in agriculture…. “With these transformative policies in place, I am confident that by 2028, the landscape of Ghana’s agricultural sector will be vastly improved,” Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw concluded.
By: Christian Kpesese
