Barring any last minute hitches, farmer groups in the country will have a say in determining who becomes the next Agriculture minister in the country, the 2018 National Best Youth Farmer has revealed.
The 2018 National Best Youth farmer Mr Owiredu Annor has hinted that farmer groups in the country have resolved to have one voice to influence the selection of Agriculture Ministers in the country.
This he said, would enable the farmer’s groups to have a bit of control over the minister. It is very difficult for our voices to be heard by these ministers, hence the need to select the best material for the farmers who also understands the needs of farmers in the country.
“Since we are not directly involved in the selection process of who becomes the sector minister, it is difficult to influence them on certain decisions” a situation the farmers say is not helping the agricultural sector.
“As a result of this, we are putting up a strong farmer group to be the main anchor to drive the agriculture sector in the country and also help infuse our inputs in the selection of Agriculture minister going forward” he explained.
Speaking on Agriculture Segment on Oyerepa 100.7 fm breakfast show on Wednesday, Mr Annor was strongly convinced that, this move will be a game-changer for Ghana’s agricultural sector and the world at large.
He cited a continuous change of government and political will as a major blow to Ghana’s agriculture sector transformations, arguing that, when there is a change of government, her policies on agriculture are booted away and the new government comes in with new policy directions.
He cited how, MOFA facilitated the preparation of the Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (METASIP I and II) for 2009 – 2015 Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP I and II)which was to help steer the agriculture sector but did not see the light of the day due to political will by successive governments.
This in effect, had bad consequences on agricultural development for ages.
Mr Annor, therefore, appeals to farmers in the country to accept the truth of it and rally behind this cause, which will inure to their advantage.
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