President Akufo-Addo has made farming attractive - Tema Mantse

The industrial City King, Dr. Nii Adjei Kraku ll, has praised the rare sense of purpose being exhibited by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to propel Ghana’s Agriculture.

He observed that the acknowledgment of Agriculture as the backbone of the country’s economy has largely been lip-service over the years, that had changed under President Akufo-Addo.

“Planting for Food and jobs, I think, is a very significant programme that will really change the Agricultural sector. Thanks to the programme, which is the brainchild of the President, Agriculture has become very attractive to the youth of the country,” Nii Tema said.

Dr. Nii Adjei Kraku in a statement after the farmers' day observation on the commemoration of this year’s edition of the National Farmers Day in Tema New Town said it was a fantastic move.

He earlier on joined the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tema, Felix Mensah Nii Annang-La and other dignitaries to crown Mr.Adam Alhassan as the 2018 Best Farmer of the Metropolis.

Nii Tema said the Feed Ghana module under the Nation Builders’ corps is a masterstroke that has gotten more youth of the country involved in propping up the backbone of the national economy.

“I am particularly impressed by the Feed Ghana module of the Nation Builders’ corps… it reminds of Operation Feed Yourself under Acheampong…I think it is a very brilliant way to get the youth involved in Agriculture. Generally speaking, I think the President has made Agriculture very attractive and this is good.”

The Tema Mantse was flanked by the Tema MCE and the Coordinating Director of the TMA, Mr Samuel Donkor at the programme. Other dignitaries in attendance were the Presiding Member of the TMA, Joseph Korto, Assembly Members and staff of the Assembly.

Nii Adjei Kraku praised former President Rawlings for instituting the National farmers Day and interventions by the Akufo-Addo government in the fisheries sector, including the suspended policy to restrain fishing during the August bumper season for a year so that the fish can multiply.

He said, that policy, along with the rigid enforcement of the ban on bad fishing practices, especially, pair-trawling, will in future lead to increase in the fish stock in the country’s seas.

“I think in this regard, the Minister for Fisheries, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, is to be highly commended for her efforts. So are her predecessors of the previous government who also rigidly upheld the policy to end bad fishing practices in our seas” Nii Tema said.

He however requested that the supply of premix fuel to the fishing community in Tema be increased and stabilized, “because Tema is host to many fishermen and women from around the country who travel down here to ply their trade

Felix Mensah Nii Ananng-La, programme said President Akufo-Addo was committed to making the Agricultural sector the best in Africa.

In this regard, he said the President has made money available for the improvement of feeder roads and procurement of irrigation equipment across the country.

The government’s one village, one dam, initiative, he said, is also on course and will come to aid dry season farming.