The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Akoto Afriyie, has assured Ghanaians not to panic as there won’t be any food shortage as many have predicted.
The recent price hikes in farm inputs coupled with the shortage of inorganic fertilizers and other factors have inflated the prices of food commodities and reduced the number of farm acreage by the farmers in the country. This has generated fear and panic among the general public predicting hunger strikes in the coming seasons.
However, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, has explained that there is no food shortage in Ghana and there would not be a hunger strike due to food shortage. According to him, Ghana has about twenty-seven thousand metric tonnes (27,000mt) of maize stored. The Minister said the 27,000mt is just recorded in two regions in Ghana.
“The figure is from nine (9) markets in two regions, Ashanti and Bono Ahafo East region, the Northern and other regions’ stocks have not been taken into account. So if people say there is no food they don’t know what they are talking about.”
Dr. Akoto Afriyie
To buttress his points, the Minister said these are left-over stocks from the 2021 harvest, Ghana would have a bumper harvest in the 2022 season.
“This year’s crop is going to be heavy because we have never had such a good rainfall pattern in the past five years I have been the minister. The crops on the field are very healthy; therefore, if they are harvested at the close of the season, Ghana would be on solid grounds to ensure food security.”
Dr. Akoto Afriyie
The Agric Minister’s assertions came when most agri-stakeholders have criticized the agric sector and predicted a food shortage in Ghana.
Praise Agric Minister instead of Criticizing Him
In a recent interview, Alhaji Ahmed Osman, Community Head of the Fulani Tribe in the Ashanti Region, urged Ghanaians to praise the Agric minister instead of the many criticisms thrown at him.
He said it is unfair for anybody to accuse the Minister of the current crisis the agric sector is facing particularly, about the acute shortage of fertilizers when everybody knows it is a global phenomenon emanating from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Alhaji Osman, also a Committee Member of the Ghana Cattle Ranching Association, said attempts to tarnish the hard-won reputation of the Minister would not get anywhere because his achievements in the sector are enormous.
“All these are schemes aimed at diverting attention from the good works of the Minister who has distinguished himself creditably since he was appointed to head the Agriculture Ministry. The several interventions spearheaded by Dr. Akoto have transformed the Agricultural sector. Therefore, Ghanaians should appreciate the benefits that the country is reaping under the leadership of the Minister rather than wrongly accusing him of something beyond his control.
Dr. Akoto has modernized agriculture in the country through research and technology, effective extension services, and other supporting services to farmers, processors, and traders in the value chain for improved livelihood.”
Alhaji Ahmed Osman
In addition, he said the Minister’s vision is to promote sustainable agriculture which thrives on agribusiness with the potential of transforming the economy in the long term.
Alhaji Osman expressed that he is convinced the Minister has done enough to merit applause from Ghanaians rather than the barrage of criticism over farmers’ lack of adequate fertilizers.
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