Government Priorities Questioned
The Minority Leader's comments were made in response to President John Dramani Mahama's 2026 State of the Nation Address, in which the government's plans for the agricultural sector were outlined. However, Afenyo-Markin argued that strong words are not being matched by strong actions, and that the government's priorities are misplaced. "We have heard a lot of rhetoric about supporting agriculture and helping farmers, but when it comes to actual implementation, we are not seeing the desired results," he said. "The Minister of Agriculture needs to be more visible and proactive in addressing the challenges facing the sector, rather than just making statements."
Experts agree that the agricultural sector has the potential to be a major driver of economic growth and development, but that it requires significant investment and support.
"Agriculture is a critical sector that can provide employment and income opportunities for millions of people, but it needs to be given the attention it deserves,"said Dr. Ama Pomaa, a lecturer in agricultural economics at the University of Ghana. "The government needs to provide more resources and support to farmers, including access to credit, technology, and markets, in order to help them increase productivity and competitiveness." According to Dr. Pomaa, the government's focus on gold and other extractive industries is not only overshadowing the agricultural sector but also jeopardizing the country's long-term food security.
Agricultural Sector Challenges
The agricultural sector in the country faces a number of challenges, including limited access to credit and technology, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of support for small-scale farmers. Many farmers are also struggling to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including changing weather patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events. "We are doing our best to farm and produce food, but it is becoming increasingly difficult due to the lack of support and resources," said Mary Mensah, a small-scale farmer from the Brong-Ahafo Region. "We need the government to provide us with more assistance, including access to credit and technology, in order to help us increase our productivity and competitiveness." The government has established several initiatives aimed at supporting the agricultural sector, including the Planting for Food and Jobs program, which aims to increase food production and reduce imports. However, critics argue that these initiatives are not being implemented effectively, and that more needs to be done to support farmers and the sector as a whole.
The Minister of Agriculture has been accused of being largely invisible and not doing enough to address the challenges facing the sector. Afenyo-Markin argued that the Minister needs to be more proactive and visible in addressing the challenges facing the sector, rather than just making statements. "We need to see more action and less talk from the Minister of Agriculture," he said. "The sector needs strong leadership and direction, and the Minister needs to provide that." The Ministry of Agriculture has responded to the criticism, saying that it is working hard to support the sector and address the challenges facing farmers.
"We are committed to supporting the agricultural sector and helping farmers to increase their productivity and competitiveness,"said a spokesperson for the Ministry. "We are working to provide more resources and support to farmers, including access to credit and technology, and we are also working to improve infrastructure and reduce the impacts of climate change."
Way Forward
In order to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector, the government needs to take a more comprehensive and coordinated approach. This includes providing more resources and support to farmers, improving infrastructure, and addressing the impacts of climate change. The government also needs to prioritize the sector and give it the attention it deserves, rather than focusing primarily on extractive industries. "We need to take a more holistic approach to developing the agricultural sector, and recognize its potential to drive economic growth and development," said Dr. Pomaa. "This requires a commitment to providing more resources and support to farmers, as well as a willingness to address the challenges facing the sector in a comprehensive and coordinated way." As the country looks to the future and seeks to boost its economy and reduce reliance on imported goods, the development of the agricultural sector will be critical. With the right support and resources, the sector has the potential to drive economic growth and development, and help to ensure food security for generations to come. In conclusion, the government's focus on gold and other extractive industries has been accused of overshadowing the crucial agricultural sector, with the Minority Leader criticizing the lack of concrete action to support farming and food production. The sector faces a number of challenges, including limited access to credit and technology, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of support for small-scale farmers. In order to address these challenges and unlock the potential of the agricultural sector, the government needs to take a more comprehensive and coordinated approach, prioritizing the sector and providing more resources and support to farmers. With the right approach, the agricultural sector can drive economic growth and development, and help to ensure food security for generations to come.
