PNC Parliamentary candidate calls for more investment into Agric sector


The PNC Parliamentary Candidate for Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Thomas Akurugu, says Ghana’s agriculture-based economy made it imperative to focus on the construction of more irrigation dams, feeder roads and mechanized farming to increase productivity. 

Mr Akurugu called for effective linkages between industry and research institutions for the production of quality goods locally. 

He made the call in an interview with Radio Ghana’s Samuel Ayammah in Bolgatanga. 

Agriculture is the backbone of any dynamic and forward looking economy with Ghana not in exception. 

It plays an important role in socioeconomic development by ensuring food security, providing raw materials for foreign and local industries; generate foreign exchange and income for most of the population, majority of which is rural-based as well as providing employment and other strategic rural – urban economic turnaround opportunities. 

Governments must live up to its commitments to invest at least 25% of the national budgets in agriculture, in order to address the current food crisis and break Ghana's present dependency on the whims of the global market. 

Government must once again find solutions for increasing agricultural production that are both socially and environmentally sustainable. 

Mr Akurugu said investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security is a golden step to Ghana's development. 

Ultimately a nation that cannot feed itself will always be hostage to the interests of those who feed it. He said these turnaround opportunities are seen in two economies like Brazil and South Africa. 

These two had turned around their rural areas through agriculture and agribusiness and with youths as the centre into semi and major urban centres. 

He said Ghana's greatest opportunity to industrialize, to create new jobs, lies in agriculture. He noted that agriculture is the backbone of Ghana's economy and the mainstay for the large majority of the population. 

It directly employs 60% of the total labour force and provides the main source of income for 90% of the population. 

He said when elected to represent the people of Bolgatanga Central Constituency, he will empower small scale farmers in order to enhance their living standards. 

He said plans are far advanced to provide assistance to the youth and the women groups in the constituency to enable them engage themselves in dry season gardening when given the nod as an MP for the constituency. 

He said the existing dug-outs will be worked on and areas that need a dug-out will be provided. 

Mr Akurugu therefore called on the people in the constituency to vote massively for him to represent them in parliament come December 7th general elections.


GBC