President Akufo-Addo has intimated that the country experienced no food shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic period. He added that Ghana fared well under the circumstances, largely as a result of the bold policies implemented by his government since 2017.
The main policies are Planting for Food and Jobs, Rearing for Food and Jobs, the 1-Village-1-Dam initiative, 1-District-1-Warehouse policy. Others include establishment of greenhouse villages, revitalization of the cocoa rehabilitation programme, and the reactivation of the aquaculture industry.
“There have been increases in maize and rice yields by 110% and 48% respectively. We have, for the first time in a long while, become a net exporter of food, as opposed to the days of importation of tomatoes and plantain. Indeed, in 2019, we exported some one hundred and forty thousand metric tons (140,000 MT) to our neighbours.”
He said his government seeks to take full advantage of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to produce more in Ghana. Consequently, to sell more to Africa and beyond, as Ghana moves Beyond Aid.
In addition, his government seeks to end the over-reliance on cocoa, and develop other cash crops such as cashew, cotton, mango, oil palm, rubber, and shea. This is attainable through the establishment of the Tree Crops Development Authority.
President Akufo-Addo stated these whilst delivering the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) for his second term today.
Way Forward.
According to President Akufo-Addo, farmers will receive a new cost item of US$400.00 per ton, for every cocoa sold. This is effective from the 2020/2021 season.
“The Agreement for a Strategic Partnership between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire has bound our two countries in even closer intimacy. We have succeeded in aligning the cocoa production and marketing policies of the two countries. And, we ensured that we do not continue to be victims of a global cocoa industry that is dependent on the toil and effort of our farmers. A new trading mechanism has been implemented…”
President Akufo-Addo
On flooding, the President made known that his government has also implemented the annual National Flood Control Programme (NFCP). The overall goal has been to reduce the incidence of flooding across the country.
Furthermore, he said preparatory activities of the construction of the Multipurpose Pwalugu Dam project will be completed by the first half of this year. Actual construction will commence in the second half of this year and commissioning expected to be in 2025.
According to him, the project is the single largest investment in the northern part of Ghana. The 25,000-hectare irrigation scheme will be bigger than the total size of all irrigated projects implemented in the country. It will boost food production in the northern part of Ghana and create jobs for the youth. In effect, boost economic development in northern Ghana.
President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to Parliament for approving his ministerial nominees. He then urged urge members of the House to lend their voices to the public education campaign currently ongoing with regards to the vaccination programme.
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