The Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Eric Opoku, has called on Ghana’s growing unemployed youth population to take up farming, as the government intensifies efforts to modernise the agricultural sector.
He noted that agriculture, particularly farming, remains a highly viable and profitable venture with enormous potential to uplift the socio-economic conditions of citizens.
Mr Opoku challenged the widespread notion that farming is unprofitable and meant only for the poor, stating, “Many of the successful individuals in the country are engaged in farming.”
He further remarked, “In fact, the biggest farmer in the country now is President John Dramani Mahama, and no farmer in Ghana cultivates more onions, maize, and rice than he does,” to demonstrate that agriculture is increasingly embraced by influential personalities.
The Minister made these remarks during the dedication of the Apostle Clement Brakatu Temple of the Apostles’ Continuation Church International in Sunyani, held under the theme, “Except the Lord build the house.”
Mr Opoku reiterated that agriculture offers significant financial rewards, noting that “Many prominent individuals are reaping substantial benefits from agriculture,” and encouraged the youth to venture into farming as a means of improving their livelihoods.
He expressed concern over Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported tomatoes, revealing that the country spends no less than $400 million each year importing the commodity from Burkina Faso. He stressed, “If we stop importing tomatoes, that money can be redirected to building factories and creating more job opportunities for the youth.”
According to him, the government has rolled out the Feed Ghana Programme to boost agricultural growth, enhance the sector’s appeal, and encourage individuals to participate in backyard gardening to improve household food security.
He added that second-cycle institutions were being motivated to engage in food production to support their feeding systems, saying, “Senior high schools are being encouraged to engage in farming to feed their students, with institutions being encouraged to venture into large-scale farming under the feed programme”.
Mr Opoku also disclosed that his personal involvement in farming was driven by its profitability, indicating that “many politicians, former and present ministers of state, as well as Members of Parliament, are now farmers.”
He lamented the poor exploitation of Ghana’s rich agricultural lands, pointing out that “Despite our abundant arable lands, we have not cultivated them sufficiently, and as a result, we import tomatoes and onions from Burkina Faso and Niger.”
In a related comment, the Member of Parliament for the Sunyani East Constituency, Seid Mubarak, observed that the construction and dedication of the new temple reflected the determination of religious institutions to spread the gospel and contribute to moral and societal development.
Source: GNA
