Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has stated that the Ghana Food Brigade will be launched by the end of December as part of a significant government push to increase agricultural output and national food security.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, November 24, the Minister announced that the effort will be accompanied by the enrollment of 10,000 young people in a four-year National Service agriculture curriculum.
Each year, a limited number of participants will be hired as permanent employees of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to improve agricultural extension services across the nation.
Mr. Opoku believes that the Food Brigade’s goal is to develop a sustainable workforce to support Ghana’s food production systems while providing young people with practical agricultural skills.
“It is our hope that the Ghana Food Brigade will be launched before the end of December this year, in addition, 10,000 youth are being enrolled on the national service scheme under a four-year programme. Each year a portion of these youth will be retained as permanent ministry staff to augment agricultural extension delivery,” he said.
The Minister explained that the program is in line with the government’s larger agricultural modernization goal, which seeks to boost output, enhance food accessibility, and provide young people with worthwhile job possibilities.
By boosting support for farmers, enhancing extension services, and encouraging young involvement in agriculture, the Food Brigade is anticipated to play a significant role in advancing national food security initiatives.
Source: newsthemegh.com