Gov’t determined to promote agriculture – Fifi Kwetey

Mr Fifi Kwetey, Minister of Food and Agriculture, has expressed the Government’s determination to promote agricultural productivity and thriving agri-business through research and technology development.

He said the Government would do everything to ensure effective extension and support services to farmers, processors and traders to improve their livelihoods.


Mr Kwetey said this in a speech read for him at a workshop organised by the Ministry in Kumasi.


It brought together directors at the national, regional and district levels to sensitise them on their responsibilities and roles for efficient performance to grow the sector.


The wide range of topics discussed included; Understanding the Functions of District Departments of agriculture (LI 1961), Investment Opportunities in Ghanaian Agriculture, Agriculture Statistics and its Importance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation of Agricultural Programmes and Projects” and “Experiences of Managing the Department of Agriculture within Decentralization”.

Mr Kwetey encouraged the directors to liaise with other heads of departments to explore ways of maximizing food production and efficient use of resources.


He said the Ministry and the Local Government Service Secretariat had, over the last two years, been working hard to fashion out appropriate strategies to strengthen the working relationship between the two institutions.


“Technical know-how alone cannot lead to the desired development we are expecting, but the ability to relate, co-ordinate, resolve differences and innovate will be key to the success of every director,” he said.


Mr Kwetey said it was important for them to recognise that the revenue of more than 80 per cent of the district assemblies was dependent on agriculture hence the importance of their role in the decentralisation concept.