Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former minister of food and agriculture and potential flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party, is emphatic that prioritizing agriculture is the best way to guarantee the rapid development required in other economic sectors and to generate employment for young people.
Delivering a public lecture on the theme: “The future of the economy of Ghana” on Monday, Dr. Afriyie Akoto said, “I strongly believe agriculture will lift Ghana out of poverty and assure us not only of food security but also generate the necessary resources for the development of the other sectors including industry, health, education and infrastructure in the medium to long term.”
Dr. Afriyie Akoto added that there is a possibility for Africa, especially Ghana, to take the lead in the emerging new economic order.
The world’s present economic problems make it clear that this new order will be driven by food, renewable energy, water, and big data.
“Africa, particularly Ghana can lead this new order by strengthening all sectors of the economy and transforming agriculture sustainably.”.
In order to concentrate on his presidential aspirations and guide the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the general elections of 2024, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto formally announced his resignation.
For two years, he represented the Kwadaso District in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, as a member of parliament.
Prior to his appointment as the Minister for Food and Agriculture in 2017, he served as the Vice Ranking Member and then the formal Ranking Member for the Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs in Parliament.
In order to provide Ghanaians with more affordable food in the middle of the country’s economic problems and increasing food costs, Dr. Afriyie Akoto enacted the contentious Planting for Food and Jobs policy in November 2022 on the grounds of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com