By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO
The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), Federation Association of Ghanaian Exporters(FAGE), Ghana Vegetable Exporters and Producers Association, and Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body has outlined key areas for the government to prioritize in transforming Ghana’s agro-industrialization drive.
This forms part of its congratulatory message to Mr John Dramani Mahama on his election as the President . They are optimistic that his leadership will usher in a new era of growth and development for Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), Anthony Morrison called for deliberate policies to reduce food prices and better lives of poor citizens.
“To transform Ghana’s Agro-Industrialization drive, we urge the government to take immediate steps to reduce the general cost of food prices in the Country through deliberate policies to reduce the cost of agricultural inputs, and food production, to better the lives of poor citizens,”he mentioned.
Ghana’s agricultural sector is a critical component of Ghana’s economy, employing approximately 50% of the labor force and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP.
He believes that Ghana’s agricultural revolution requires a new thinking and approach to harness its potential to truly impact the Industrialization drive and achieve the new government’s 24-hour economy agenda.
Mr. Morrison mentioned the deliberate promotion of agro Industrialization. He said the new administration should aggressively develop and establish robust Agro industries to add value to raw agricultural products and increase their competitiveness in local and international markets.
The CEO also said the creation of an enabling environment for private sector investment in the agricultural sector, including providing incentives for investment in agricultural infrastructure and agro-processing industries will help transform Ghana’s agricultural sector.
He stressed the need for skills development and training for farmers saying “develop and implement skills development and training programs for farmers, agribusinesses, and agricultural extension agents to improve their productivity and competitiveness.”
“We commend President Mahama’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s food systems, aligning with our vision for a vibrant and competitive agricultural sector. We look forward to collaborating with your administration to develop and implement policies that will drive growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses in Ghana,” he added.
As a key stakeholder in the agricultural sector, CAG believes engaging with the new administration and providing input on policies and programs that can drive growth and transformation in the sector is essential.
It is the hope of the Chamber that by prioritizing these key areas, Ghana’s agricultural sector can be transformed to drive growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses in Ghana.
