Government will continue to create an enabling environment for rapid agricultural sector growth – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has assured of government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for all relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

In a tweet to commemorate the 2021 National Farmers’ Day on Friday, the President noted that there is wealth in agricultural activities; thus his administration would ensure the needed policies are implemented to see to the rapid growth of the sector.

President Akufo-Addo also used the opportunity to celebrate hardworking fishermen and farmers who by their efforts have provided the country and parts of West Africa with food despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Their efforts which ensured Ghana did not plunge into a state of food scarcity, he said cannot be understated or taken for granted.

In view of this, President Akufo-Addo noted that this year’s event has taken on added significance

“On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I extend a hearty ayekoo to our farmers and fisher folk, on the 37th edition of Farmers Day,” the President said.

He also prayed that God blesses “our farmers and fisherfolk, and us all, and may God bless our homeland Ghana, and make her great and strong.”

The 2021 National Farmers’ Day celebration took place at Cape Coast in the Central Region. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Planting for food and jobs – Consolidating food systems in Ghana.”

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo while addressing citizens announced that as part of measures to provide an enabling environment for agricultural growth, government is creating an agricultural land information bank.

This initiative he said will enable landowners make lands they intend to lease, available to investors and address challenges associated with land searches for farming and other investment purposes.

Again, the President disclosed that approval has been given by cabinet for the recruitment of additional 1,100 veterinary officers into the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Fifty percent of this number he said will be recruited in 2022 and the remaining 50 per cent will be brought on board over a two-year period.

“Cabinet has granted the approval for the procurement of a research vessel and four patrol boats for the fisheries sector. The acquisition of a research vessel will facilitate regular fisheries research and stock excesses. That will strengthen data availability for science based fisheries management.

The four patrol boats will also strengthen enforcement capacity to help address the issue of exploitation and overfishing,” he added.

According to President Akufo-Addo, construction works on fish landing sites and harbour projects located in Accra and Western Region that are expected to facilitate the transformation of the fisheries sector are progressing steadily.

He further revealed that the necessary preparatory works are also ongoing for the enactment of a new fisheries act to replace the existing Fisheries Act 2002, (Act 625).