Anthony Morrison, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Agribusiness, has accused the government of failing to implement promised reforms in the 2021 budget.
Mr. Morrison, speaking at the 4th edition of the Ghana Agribusiness Excellence and Leadership Awards, stated that if the government and successive governments completely commit to completing commitments made to the agriculture sector, difficulties in the industry will be substantially tackled. He surmised that the agricultural sector is ripped with perennial challenges, but most governments do little to alleviate these challenges. He indicated that almost all governments promise to solve these when they are in opposition but do little when they come into power.
“We think that a lot of investments is required in the industry which is highly critical to our food security and recently it is clearly stated in the intelligence report and I agree with them. Most governments have not been able to commit 100 percent to their promises which I think that if that is adhered to, our challenges in the industry will be reduced by 20 percent.”
“So, I am urging the government to fulfill the policies in the 2021 budget. These policies will help reduce our problems significantly.”
Anthony Morrison
Farmers were to receive 1.5 million Ghana cedis through the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme, as part of policy initiatives for the agricultural sector specified in the 2021 budget under the Ghana Cares Programme, for the acquisition of fertilizer, seeds, and extensive services, among other things.
The government also indicated in the previous budget that it would assist farmers through the Rearing for Food and Jobs program, as well as provide finance to poultry farmers and rice millers.
If these were met, the chamber claimed, would have boosted the sector’s growth rate and alleviated its problems.
Optimization of the AfCFTA
Nonetheless, Anthony Morrison advised stakeholders to develop the appropriate policies and procedures in order to fully benefit from the free trade deal.
Mr. Morrison intimated that Ghana should take advantage of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquartered in Accra to its optimum.
“African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has come to stay, and it is for us as a country to design our strategy and look out for our comparative and competitive advantages in addressing various challenges that we face.”
Anthony Morrison
The winners praised the organizers of the awards ceremony for highlighting the achievements of agricultural industry players, stating that it is past time for the spotlight to be shined on agribusinesses in order to encourage young people to take an interest in improving Ghana’s agriculture and food security.
Some of those at the gathering were given the chance to speak and they spoke extensively on the need to support the Agric sector. They claimed that the backbone of Ghana’s economy is the agriculture sector, hence, if Ghana wants to optimally develop its economy, then total support to Agriculture is non-negotiable.
They argued that the Agric industry feeds the whole economy ranging from the president of the country, the ministers and ordinary people in the country. They added any attempt to decrease food production in the country will equate to starvation of the country which, they said, would not want to chart that trajectory, hence, the government should honor its 2021 budgetary promises.
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