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As Ghana’s agricultural sector continues to grapple with challenges, Elikem, a member of the Ho Central Constituency communications team, has emphasized the need to empower local farmers to drive the country’s agricultural transformation. Speaking on Volta Star Radio’s morning show with Tony Mark-Boye, Elikem questioned the support systems in place for local farmers, highlighting the importance of equipping them with the necessary resources to boost production.
Elikem’s comments come in the wake of Ken Ohene Agyapong’s ambitious plan to turn Ghana into a food basket for Africa, leveraging the country’s agricultural potential. A key aspect of this plan is the distribution of day-old chicks to support the poultry industry, a move that could significantly boost local egg production and reduce reliance on imports.
However, Elikem stressed that without adequate support for local farmers, such initiatives may not yield the desired results. The National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) policies aimed at transforming the agricultural sector, including the Feed Ghana Programme and the Transformational Grains Development Project, were cited as steps in the right direction. These initiatives seek to increase local production of staple crops, promote smart agriculture, and enhance food security.
Elikem emphasized that more needs to be done to address the challenges facing local farmers, including limited access to credit, inadequate storage facilities, and climate change impacts. He called for increased investment in agricultural infrastructure, extension services, and market access to empower local farmers. This, he noted, requires a shift from rhetoric to pragmatic action, with a focus on agricultural technology education, relevant science, and agricultural research.
Moreover, Elikem stressed that incentives must be put in place to motivate young people to take up farming as a viable career option. This could include initiatives such as subsidies for farm inputs, access to affordable credit, and better prices for farm produce. His Excellency John Dramani Mahama’s administration has already made significant strides in this area, and Elikem believes that this momentum should be maintained.
Ultimately, Elikem emphasized that agricultural transformation cannot be achieved by government alone; it requires the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and the private sector. “We need to move away from mere rhetoric and focus on putting pragmatic actions in place to support our farmers,” he said. By working together, Ghana can harness its agricultural resources to drive economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve livelihoods.
