Agriculture no longer an afterthought – Mahama as he launches ‘Feed Ghana’
President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled the ‘Feed Ghana Programme’ as a key component of his administration’s broader initiative to transform agriculture and strengthen Ghana’s economic resilience.
Speaking during the launch of the programme in Techiman on Saturday, April 12, Mr. Mahama emphasized the need for bold and decisive action to reposition agriculture at the heart of Ghana’s development agenda.
“Mr. Chairman, the time has come for bold and decisive actions. We must no longer treat agriculture as an afterthought. Agriculture must be placed at the center of our national economic transformation,” he stated.
He explained that the Feed Ghana Programme forms the foundation of a larger strategy dubbed the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA). This vision seeks to modernize and expand the agricultural sector to create jobs, reduce food inflation, and ensure long-term food security.
According to Mr. Mahama, the programme will serve as an umbrella framework under which all agricultural projects and interventions will be implemented. It focuses on increasing food production, promoting modern farming practices, improving agricultural infrastructure, and establishing agro-industrial zones across the country.
He also addressed the global changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, warning that rising protectionism and new trade tensions necessitate a rethinking of national food strategies.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has shifted. Global protectionism is rising. Tariff wars are being waged among the world powers, and new trade tensions are emerging between nations,” he said.
Mr. Mahama stressed that the Feed Ghana Programme is not only timely but also a demonstration of his government’s intent to invest in the country’s agricultural potential.
“It represents a bold commitment to put our resources where our ambitions lie,” he concluded.