Former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to revive Ghana’s agriculture, particularly the cocoa sector, after addressing concerns from farmers.
Mahama emphasized the cocoa sector’s crucial role in Ghana’s economy but criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party government’s ill-thought policies, which threatened the industry’s collapse.
The NDC flagbearer emphasized the need for a rebound in agriculture while addressing a gathering as part of his Central Regional Building Ghana Tour.
According to him, NDC government’s free fertilizer, seedlings, and inputs increased cocoa farmer yield, but current government policy change drastically reduced national yield.
“When we started giving out free fertilizers, it was because we realised it would help improve yield, and in the 2016/17 crop year, we recorded a massive increase in produce.
“I cannot understand why this government will decide to stop that and sell the fertilizers to the farmers… It is wickedness to leave the fertilizer in warehouses because the farmers cannot buy them,” he added.
Mahama stressed that a new NDC government will enhance the cocoa sector in the country, aiming to increase the income of cocoa farmers and create employment opportunities.
He also addressed the depressing outputs in the fisheries sub-sector, which has led to high deficits in national fish supply.
He spoke about what he termed as weak infrastructure, unsafe landing beaches, and the proliferation of illegal fishing methods.
”Therefore, the NDC government’s construction of the processing plant would help reduce post-harvest losses, add value to the fish catch and thereby optimise the value the nation derives from its fishing industry.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
