Global economic and financial downturn in recent times requires that most countries in sub-Saharan Africa which are mostly agrarian economies focus on exploring its strength and economies of scale to engender food security, spur economic growth and make them self-reliant and enhance food security sustainability for a transition into industrialization.
The sector constitutes the backbone of Ghana’s economy for instance and it is the bulk employment sector. An ancient vocation or enterprise, African states are now keen on revolutionising the sector, broadening its scope as the vehicle to leapfrog economic growth through modernization and commercialization.
Since becoming the minister of Agriculture, Dr, Bryan Acheampong, also Member of Parliament for Abetifi, who had previously held several sensitive ministerial positions had put a great spotlight on the sector through the government’s launch of its Phase II of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme even as the economy goes through some turbulence and recession.
Deliberate programs such as the Youth in Agricultural programme (YIAP), for instance is a spark in this direction geared towards aiding youth employment and involvement in the sector. This is essentially to support the economic recovery program embarked upon by the government with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The YIAP, has the sole object of increasing food or the bread basket across all districts and sixteen regions of our country. Increased state investments in the sector is seen to drive Ghana’s industrialization agenda through food processing and the mechanization of the production process.
Dr. Bryan has great intents to put the Ghanaian youth at the forefronts of this agenda for the fact that, they have the passion, requisite education and training and are enthusiastic. Employment of modern scientific methods amidst the current wave of digitalisation holds greater prospects and bright sparks for the sector. Increasing the sector’s contribution to the total GDP would help build the tomorrow’s growth having regard to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of reducing hunger and poverty and Africa’s development agenda through Africa Free Continental Trade Area.
Source:Emmanuel Attafuah Danso
Former Director of International Affaires NPPHHQ.
Credit: Nana Kwasi Asare
