The Director of Food Systems for the World Food Programme (WFP), Steven Nhyira Odarteifio, has called on the incoming Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, to harness the Ministry’s social capital and partnerships with development agencies and investors to tackle the persistent irrigation challenges in northern Ghana.
Mr. Odarteifio said doing that would not only support revitalizing agricultural colleges but also spark a self-sufficiency revolution in the rice, tomato, and poultry sectors, which are vital to Ghana’s food security.
Transforming Agricultural Colleges
Mr. Odarteifio highlighted the need to attract youth into agriculture by transforming agricultural colleges into competitive institutions capable of inspiring and nurturing top talent.
“This transformation will elevate agriculture to a respected and viable career path,” he stated, adding that such reforms would leverage the economic enclave approach to address Ghana’s food production deficits in key staples.
He urged the government to integrate a national vision that merges education, innovation, and economic empowerment, positioning agriculture as a solution to youth unemployment and food insecurity.
Collaboration with MoFA
The WFP is actively engaged with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) on various impactful programs, including:
- Agroforestry carbon credit initiatives.
- Post-harvest equipment provision.
- Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA).
- Cash-based transfer schemes.
- Agricultural college modernization.
- Market access facilitation and input support programs.
Focusing on the potential of agricultural colleges, Mr. Odarteifio reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to equipping these institutions with resources and curricula to attract graduates from senior high schools who might otherwise opt for different career paths.
Reducing Import Dependency
The Director expressed concern about Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported staple foods, noting that nearly 80% of the country’s rice, tomatoes, and poultry are sourced externally, costing approximately $1.2 billion annually—$400 million for each staple.
“This dependence poses a significant national security risk, particularly during global crises like pandemics, where supply chains are disrupted, and exporting nations prioritize their needs,” he warned.
Economic Enclave Model
Mr. Odarteifio championed the economic enclave approach as a pivotal strategy for achieving self-sufficiency. He urged the government to establish the necessary infrastructure to attract private sector investment into high-production hubs for rice, tomatoes, and poultry.
Commitment to Sustainability
The WFP Director concluded by reiterating WFP’s unwavering commitment to working alongside MoFA to ensure the success and sustainability of these initiatives, positioning Ghana on the path to a resilient and self-sufficient agricultural future.
Source: graphiconline.com
