President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has underscored the necessity for Ghana to make a scientific and aware effort in the direction of self-sufficiency.
According to him, growing Ghana’s self-sufficiency and its meals safety was one main problem.
However, he bemoaned the truth that some huge cash was spent on importing, particularly foodstuffs, into the nation.
“We spend a lot of our money importing foodstuffs into Ghana, and it has been going on for too long. And I think now is the time that we are going to have to make this systematic effort to be self-sufficient and depend on ourselves for things that we eat,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo made the assertion when he acquired a delegation of traders from Thailand, led by the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, and the Honorary Consul of Ghana in Thailand, Dr. Sicha Singsomboon, on Friday, December 30, 2022, on the Jubilee House, the seat of presidency.
The delegation, who comprised some twenty (20) traders, have been in Ghana to cement a Ghana-Thailand Rice Project being spearheaded by the JGC, and to additionally discover different prospects of investing in Ghana’s agriculture sector.
The President expressed pleasure on the partnership and collaboration between Ghana and Thailand within the rice sector.
“Countries like yours [Thailand] and others have done it. And if you have done it, others can also follow and emulate your example. And I am excited by the idea of getting into bed with people who are known to have succeeded,” he expressed.
In studying from Thailand, President Akufo-Addo was upbeat that Ghana might be transferring in the direction of a system of agricultural inputs that may cut back its dependence on agricultural chemical compounds imported from international locations akin to Russia and Ukraine.
“…and now we are going to be dealing with organic fertilisers, which is better for our soil, better for our pockets and generally as environmentally friendly and conducive than what we have been using up till today,” he famous.
“And if we are able to develop that here in Ghana, it will mean that we would not have to worry ourselves importing inorganic fertilisers from Ukraine and Russia so too much and be dependent on others,” he stated.
He, subsequently, tasked the Thai traders to endeavour to have some concrete understandings and preparations with the varied stakeholders in Ghana’s rice sector and agriculture business typically.
He defined that this might convey forth a roadmap on how the 2 international locations will develop and develop this relationship.
“But it is something that will be extremely beneficial to our country. We want to be able to work very closely with you to achieve our common goals. You have your new market to develop, and we also have our development that makes sense for our future. So let’s hold hands and do something profitable for you and for us,” President Akufo-Addo burdened.
Earlier, the delegation paid courtesy visits to the Ministers of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta; Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, and; Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen.
All the 4 ministers assured the traders from Thailand of presidency’s help to make sure that the Ghana-Thailand rice undertaking turns into profitable.
Early in 2022, the JGC commenced its built-in rice farming undertaking. And in displaying the seriousness JGC connected to the undertaking, a staff led by Dr. Siaw Agyepong visited Thailand to understudy the Thai rice sector as a way to replicate their experiences and technique in Ghana.
The object of JGC was to accomplice with main rice business gamers in Thailand to supply technical and tools help for your entire rice worth chain in Ghana with the intention of boosting rice manufacturing in Ghana.