Edward Kareweh, the former General Secretary of the General Agricultural
Workers Union (GAWU), has emphasized that the success of the government’s Feed
Ghana Program hinges on effective implementation and strong management
practices. The initiative, part of the ‘Nkukoko Nkitikiti’ project, aims to
support 50 farmers this year in raising four million birds to produce 10,000
metric tons of chicken. Kareweh, in an interview with Citi News, stressed the
importance of involving all relevant stakeholders in ensuring the program's
success.
Kareweh highlighted the crucial role of proper management skills in the
program’s execution. He pointed out that without effective management, even
with the resources provided, the program could fail to meet its goals. “The
implementation will depend on your management skills, you are to ensure that
all the resources deployed for the purpose of the poultry industry actually go
into that. And it is done effectively and efficiently,” he said. His concerns
are vital as Ghana's agricultural sector has faced numerous challenges in
previous initiatives, and effective management could be the key to avoiding
past failures.
In a related development, President John Dramani Mahama, on April 12,
unveiled four key interventions under the Feed Ghana Programme, which he
described as a vital part of his broader Agriculture for Economic
Transformation Agenda (AETA). The Feed Ghana initiative is expected to enhance
food security, modernize agriculture, and support the country’s economic
transformation. President Mahama underscored that the program aims to create
jobs, reduce food inflation, and improve livelihoods through sustainable
agricultural practices.
The four interventions announced include the promotion of smart agriculture,
which will see the establishment of Farmer Service Centers across the country,
providing farmers with mechanization services, financing, and training. Another
initiative focuses on the development of grains and legumes, such as maize,
rice, and sorghum, to increase local production for consumption and export. The
program also aims to boost vegetable production using greenhouse technology and
urban farming, with a focus on reducing vegetable imports. Finally,
institutional farming will be promoted, encouraging schools to engage in crop
and livestock farming, particularly for the School Feeding Programme.
Mahama believes that these interventions will revitalize the agricultural
sector, promote self-reliance, and make Ghana a key player in regional food
markets, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0