Editorial: This is a good initiative !

THERE is no denying the fact that agriculture is the mainstay of Ghana’s economy. The sector employs about sixty (60) per cent of the country’s total workforce.

THROUGH agriculture we are able to export cash crops like cocoa and cashew nuts as well as palm oil to other countries, the earnings from which go to support some of the country’s development projects.

AND it is this same sector which grows staples like rice, maize, soya etc., to feed the country’s growing population. From the above it is obvious that agriculture plays a significant role in the socio-economic development of this nation.

THUS, any initiative that is aimed at transforming the agriculture sector must not only be welcomed but actively supported by all and sundry to succeed. This is why Today is elated at the launch of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). The Planting for Food and Jobs programme, according to government, is targeted at addressing two major problems confronting this country—migration of the youth to the cities in search of non-existing jobs and also arrest the situation where we are sometimes compelled to import basic foodstuffs like plantain, tomatoes and onions from some of our neighbouring countries.

FURTHERMORE, during the launch of the programme in the Brong Ahafo Region, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is reported to have explained that Planting for Food and Jobs will transform agriculture by providing improved seedlings, supply of fertilisers, provision of devoted extension services, a marketing strategy and the use of e-Agriculture.

IN addition to the above, the President disclosed that: “The Planting for Food and Jobs programme is expected to increase the production of maize by 30 per cent; rice by 49 per cent; soybean by 25 per cent; and sorghum by 28 per cent from current production levels. This programme will create 750,000 jobs in both direct and indirect employment.”

IT must be noted that all the above sound very stimulating, particularly as the programme will help provide some meaningful jobs to an appreciable number of Ghanaians across the country. But Today wants to sound this caution that we must not allow this to become another SADA fiasco during former President Mahama’s administration or any of the unsustainable Presidential Special Initiatives (PSIs) under the era of former President Kufuor.

WE all saw what happened to SADA and its resultant financial loss to the nation due to alleged corrupt practices. The interesting aspect of such good initiatives is that they are usually accompanied by all the fanfare that one can think of, but then later become a huge financial loss to the state.

THEREFORE, it is our expectation that Planting for Food and Jobs will not become another SADA albatross on our neck. It is against this backdrop that we urge the Akufo-Addo administration to institute strict measures that would prevent people from exploiting the programme to their advantage at the detriment of the mass beneficiaries. We should remember that the money going to be invested in the project is a grant from the Canadian government and we should be seen to be putting it to profitable use.

ALL said and done, Weekend Today urges every Ghanaian to support the programme to flourish for our common good. For now, we should channel energies towards the success of the programme.

WE believe this is the time for all and sundry, irrespective of political colours, to offer suggestions where necessary to boost the project for the sake of Ghana. If Ghana should succeed, any laudable programme that projects agriculture should have the support of all. After all, it would make us food sufficient, provide employment and livelihoods, reduce poverty and minimise the mass drift of our youth from the rural areas to the urban centres for non-existing jobs.