The Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Hon. John Dumelo, has underscored the critical role of agriculture in Ghana’s economic transformation, calling for bold reforms and deeper investments in the sector.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Benjamin Madugu Avornyotse during the Ghana Month Lecture Series at the University of Ghana, Legon, the Deputy Minister emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy, contributing approximately 24.5% to GDP as of 2024.
Speaking on the theme “Sixty-Eight Years of Independence: Economic Transformation, Structural Reforms, and Political Economy,” the Deputy Minister called on government and stakeholders to place agriculture and agribusiness at the heart of the nation’s structural reform agenda.
“This gathering is timely and relevant. At the Ministry of Agriculture, we believe agribusiness development is key to this reform. If we are to reset Ghana’s economy, we must focus on agriculture,” the statement said.
Hon. Dumelo highlighted the need for political leaders to make bold decisions to reduce Ghana’s over-reliance on imports and support local production through initiatives such as Feed Ghana, under the broader 24-Hour Economy policy. “We must invest in local production and value addition. These are key steps toward sustainable growth and job creation,” – the statement noted.
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Among the ministry’s key interventions is the Akokɔ Nkitinkiti project, aimed at boosting household poultry farming and reducing the country’s dependence on poultry imports.
Currently, Ghana produces only 13% of its poultry needs locally, with over 87% being imported.
The Deputy Minister, who is personally involved in poultry farming, said this gives him insight into the challenges of the sector, particularly the high cost of feed, which makes up 80% of production costs.
The Deputy Minister also urged participants to focus their discussions on practical solutions to the country’s economic challenges, including inflation, high interest rates, and exchange rate volatility, and how these directly affect the lives of Ghanaians.
He praised the presence of academics such as Professor Godfred Bokpin and Professor Seidu Alidu, stressing the vital role of academia in shaping economic policy discourse.
Hon. Dumelo concluded with a strong message on economic sovereignty: “To be truly independent, we must first achieve economic independence. The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to working with stakeholders to build a resilient economy and reduce the cost of living for Ghanaians.”
The event was hosted by Professor Mavis Darko-Gyeke of the School of Social Sciences and brought together leading economists, scholars, students, and policymakers.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu