PNC advocates establishing agricultural investment fund
The People’s National Convention (PNC) has suggested the establishment of an agricultural investment fund (AIF), dedicated as capital, to be given to young persons who desire to enter agriculture but lack the needed capital for their innovative ideas.
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According to the PNC, Ghanaian farmers have been feeding us throughout the year. Consequently, it was inadequate for the nation to declare just a day annually as public holiday for farmers.
Rather, it said as a show of solidarity, the government and indeed all citizens must sacrifice a day’s wage in a year to be put into a special fund dedicated as capital to young persons who desired to enter agriculture.
Additionally, it said a percentage of the common fund should be earmarked for these purposes.
That was contained in a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary, Mr Bernard Mornah, to mark the annual Farmers Day, which falls today.
According to the statement, it was appropriate to review some of the actions that incapacitated farmers and their ability to achieve more.
“As we commend and celebrate our farmers for their great contribution to nation building,” the party said, farmers must be given adequate protection so that they are not outcompeted by cheap imports.
The PNC extended its utmost gratitude to the farmers of Ghana for keeping the nation alive with their hard work and sacrifices that had not only aided the nutritional needs of the population but also contributed to the economic life of the nation.
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“We congratulate all farmers for their fortitude, forbearance and for sustaining us all these years,” the party stated.
According to the statement, Ghana needed to establish special markets that would enable people to purchase farmers’ produce.
“We have done so with cocoa farmers and we should do same for those in the shea, groundnut and grain business,” the statement added.
It said that this would lead to expansion of the cash crop sector and avoid over reliance on cocoa.
The government, the PNC statement further said, must take bold steps to stop completely the importation of rice and poultry products and incentivise domestic farmers with the huge amounts that went into such importation.
Such a measure, the statement said, would have multiplier effects of increased jobs, increased incomes, expansion of linked businesses and retention and conservation of the currency.