Stop the rhetoric, invest in agric – Mahama to Akufo-Addo

Former President John Dramani Mahama has charged the Akufo-Addo administration to invest in agriculture to boost the sector and desist from needless promises as the country marks the 34th National Farmers’ Day anniversary.

“As we celebrate our dear farmers today, we must, as a nation, decide to move beyond mere words and support them with the needed inputs and machinery to ensure safety and efficiency in agriculture.

“I urge the government to pay serious attention to, and continue programmes such as the Agricultural Mechanisation Centres, the Farmers Service Centres and other policies like the deliberate development and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities and provision of targeted funding through the EDAIF, now Ghana EXIM, to farmers,” Mr Mahama posted on his Facebook wall on Friday, 7 December 2018.

Mr Mahama said he believes “our farmers deserve better returns on their investments than what the government is offering them. Therefore, the government must roll up its sleeves and back their rhetoric with concrete and innovative actions”.

Mr Mahama also lauded farmers and fisherfolk for their relentless contribution to the development of the nation.

“It is another year and another day to celebrate and praise our dear farmers and our fisherfolk for their hard work, which continues to contribute greatly towards sustaining our economy,” he added.

This year’s National Farmers’ Day anniversary was held at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium at Tamale in the Northern Region.

President Nana Akufo-Addo was the guest of honour for the event meant to reward farmers and fisherfolk.