Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a flagbearer hopeful of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has proposed that Ghana leverages the agricultural sector’s potential to fund the country’s development rather than relying heavily on borrowing.
Speaking at a gathering at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Dr. Afriyie suggested that Ghanaian farmers could be instrumental in helping the country break free from the clutches of borrowing. He emphasized that Ghana’s reliance on borrowing has led to significant economic challenges, which has been a subject of criticism by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
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Dr. Afriyie highlighted that he had worked with Ghanaian farmers for six years and had learned that they need little motivation to be called into action. The minimal incentive provided by the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) subsidy was enough to stimulate the sector’s growth, leading to an unprecedented 8.4% increase in 2021.
He emphasized that such hard work by farmers represents a resource that the nation could exploit to break free from borrowing and finance its development.
In his appeal to Ghanaians, Dr. Afriyie urged citizens to embrace farming to help the country move away from borrowing. He noted that agriculture is not only essential to the country’s economic growth but is also a means to an end.
He emphasized that going back to the land is critical because it is the land that birthed civilization on earth, and how Ghana uses its God-given land could help the country achieve its goal of becoming a first-world nation.
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In conclusion, Dr. Afriyie’s proposal presents an opportunity for Ghana to shift from its overreliance on borrowing to fund its development. Leveraging the agricultural sector’s potential could stimulate the country’s growth, create jobs, and enhance its economic prospects. However, achieving this goal will require significant investments in the sector, including infrastructure, technology, and research.
