Source: PR Unit (MOFA)
Honourable Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, spoke at a high-level global symposium on African job development held in Rome, Italy.
He emphasised the potential for modern agriculture to drive long-term employment in Africa.
He noted that agriculture accounts for roughly 30% of Ghana’s GDP and employs 24% of its people. He also mentioned that approximately 160,000 young individuals enter the employment market each year.
As a result, the Minister emphasised the urgent need to modernise the sector and offer opportunities along the value chain for young people across the country.
Ghana is connecting agriculture and industry by transforming farming into a commercial and agribusiness operation through the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), the Feed Ghana Programme, and the 24-Hour Economy Policy.
Increasing irrigation, constructing farm roads, bolstering national food storage, and assisting smallholder farmers with mechanisation so they can produce more and reach wider markets are some of the major projects that have been explored.
Hon. Opoku further emphasised the significance of funding, technology, and investment in hastening the transformation of agriculture.
He stated, “When farmers have access to inputs, markets, and infrastructure, they can expand production, create jobs, and drive economic growth,”
The World Bank President, the Italian Prime Minister, and the Singaporean President were among the world leaders gathered at the forum to examine ways to create long-term jobs throughout Africa.
In order to demonstrate to the world how investments in agriculture can change economies and lives, the Minister emphasised the government’s commitment to young employment, industrial growth, and a modern, resilient agricultural sector.
Source: newsthemegh.com