The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), Anthony Morrison, has called on government to pass a law that bans street hawking in Ghana.
According to him, street hawking was the breeding ground for most many social vices, health issues, lazy mentality of youths, a nation of buyers and sellers, violence and many more.
“It's the breeding ground for most many social vices, health issues, lazy mentality of youths, a nation of buyers and sellers, violence and many more, In terms of food most of this foods are unhygienic and unhealthy for human consumption,” he said.
In a statement by Anthony Morrison, he observed that about 50 per cent of Ghana's agriculture labour force are over 65 years, with 90 per cent of them being women.
He also said that Ghana's agriculture and agribusiness industry continued to cry for skilled and independent oriented labour force.
According to him, the cost of labour in most agriculture areas in the country have multiplied over the years with many of the rural population finding it convenient to come to the city only to begin street hawking as the next profession.
“This is a huge labour force wasting and governments must take a decision now so to avoid building a nation of unskilled youths and wasting the productive years of this population, “ he said.
“Government should help find innovative ways to challenge the energies of this youths into productive value for money and sustainable human resources for the nation.
We as people easily accept any situation as normal and certainly this current situation must not be allowed to continue for the next few years to come,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anthony Morrison noted that agriculture and agribusiness remains the country's most lucrative and profitable industry and most of its value chain still remain untapped.
“Street hawking is major time bomb awaiting the nation. Most people think it is ok to buy and eat on our roads, but do you know where the good is coming from, where it was kept, how it was handled,” he said.
He also said that,” the food that is being exposed to continues sunlight has its chemical components heated up every hour, every day thereby making it very poisonous for consumption, and negative effects on our health.”
“Ghana must learn from the likes of Rwanda how they were able to solve this situation.
Our leaders must set aside politics and help build a nation whose youth are skilled and very resourceful,” he added.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
