The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that the introduction of the government flagship program ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ has made it possible for Ghana to export excess foodstuff to other countries.
Hitherto the introduction of the policy, the president said, farmers were living the worst of condition and there were no sufficient basic foods to feed the country and for export purpose.
The president who revealed this on Tuesday during his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) in his first term added that the agricultural sector of the country has witnessed a dramatic turnaround because of the introduction of the ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ policy.
“We have seen the dramatic turnaround of our agricultural fortunes, due to the progressive policies that have improved the living standards of farmers in the country. The excellently executed policy for Planting for Food and Jobs has laid the foundation for the agricultural transformation of our country. We are able to say that our country is now a net exporter of food, and we no longer have to import basic foods like plantain and tomatoes.”
It was expected that the Coronavirus pandemic will affect food production in the country but the president indicated that the Planting for Food and Jobs policy was a source of rescue.
“During this Covid crisis, we have, mercifully, been spared the spectra of food shortages. On the contrary, thanks to Planting for Food and Jobs, food has been in abundance in our markets across the country.”
The State of the Nation Address is in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constituency which states that “the President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the State of the Nation”.
Source: A1radioonline.com| Joshua Asaah| 101.1Mhz
