President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to ensure the speedy growth and development of the Agricultural sector by providing funds and incentives.
Currently, he said his outfit is engaging the Minister of Finance, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and developmental partners to establish a new Export-Import Bank (EXIM) to support the sector.
The move, according to him, would help attract the country’s international development partners to come in to support the efforts of the government in the area of agriculture.
The President was speaking at the opening ceremony of a 3-day technical workshop on Agriculture Investment in the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) zone at a grand event in Accra.
The ceremony, held under the theme “Accredited Transformation of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone through Agriculture”, is geared towards devising measures to support the agricultural sector, SADA and its related fields.
Infrastructural development
The President revealed that he spent his first term in office concentrating more on pressing needs like the erratic power crisis, restoring basic socio-economic infrastructural facilities like roads, hospitals and schools.
He said his next focus would be directed towards the growth and development of the agricultural and agribusiness sector.
Speaking more on infrastructural developments, the President said the construction of the Tamale International Airport is geared towards supporting the export of fresh horticultural produce, fish fingerlings and processed products like meat.
“Government has also invested heavily in the construction of new trunk and feeder roads across the SADA zone and more rehabilitation of roads is being planned in this area” he added.
Furthermore, he said his administration is taking keen look at improving irrigation projects and other projects such as warehousing and bridge constructions to improve the livelihoods in the Savanna areas.
Advice
The President called for innovative approaches and technology to help address challenges with extension services in the country.
He also appealed to the appropriate authorities to ensure that farmers are trained on the usage and management of mechanized equipment, modern ways of farming and methods to reduce post harvest loses.
By Emmanuel Tawiah Forson |ONUA 95.1 FM | 3news.com