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He said AGRA also provided technical support, supplying critically needed capital, making available priceless expertise and helping break the programmes into practical modules to ensure a successful outlay.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto paid the glowing tribute to the farmer-centered, African-led, and partnerships-driven institution while contributing to a webinar on AGRA’s contributions to the Agricultural Transformation Journey in Ghana.
Delivering the keynote address, the Agric Minister praised Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA, and Mr. Forster Boateng, AGRA’s West Africa Regional Head, for their immense support for the government of Ghana’s programme.
“In 2017 when I had just been appointed minister for Food and Agriculture, one of the first visitors I received was no less a figure than Dr. Agnes Kalibata. She paid a courtesy call on me and engaged me and other stakeholders to secure their buy-in into government’s vision of modernizing the agriculture sector in Ghana” he said.
He added, “We solicited for both financial and technical assistance of our development partners to rollout the government’s flagship campaign of Planting for Food and Jobs. It is sad to say, our planting for Food and Jobs campaign initially did not resonate well with most of our development partners. I dare say they were doubting Thomases… For us, AGRA was the only partner who understood our vision, what it takes and how to actualize the vision.”
The Planting for Food and Jobs, running in five strategic modules, is geared towards enhancing food security, job creation, improved incomes for farmers and the general improvement of the economy.
