President Akufo-Addo Commends Government’s Effective Management of Agricultural Sector at African Leadership Forum
During his address at the 7th African Leadership Forum held in Accra, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the government’s successful stewardship of the agricultural sector in Ghana. He attributed this accomplishment to the implementation of the ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ policy, which was initiated by his administration in 2017.
Highlighting the significance of the policy, President Akufo-Addo explained, “We have a comprehensive program known as Planting for Food and Jobs, which provides subsidies to support our smallholder farmers. This initiative has yielded positive results, even during challenging economic times. We have not experienced any shortage of food in the market. On the contrary, access to food has remained robust due to the relative success of the system we have established. However, we must acknowledge that there are limitations to relying solely on public subsidies for agriculture.”
Addressing concerns regarding China’s involvement in Ghana’s economy, President Akufo-Addo reassured Ghanaians of the benefits derived from Chinese investment. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, he expressed his appreciation for China’s supportive role in Ghana’s economic development.
The President emphasized, “I have no criticisms regarding China’s involvement in our economy. They have been instrumental and helpful, despite the controversy surrounding their involvement in Western countries. From our perspective, China has been a reliable friend and a strong partner during challenging times.”
Over the past two decades, Ghana has received significant financial assistance from China, with loans amounting to nearly $5 billion. These funds have been allocated for crucial infrastructure projects, including the construction of roads, bridges, and power plants.
President Akufo-Addo’s positive assessment of the government’s management of the agricultural sector and his endorsement of China’s contribution to Ghana’s economic growth reaffirm the country’s commitment to sustainable development and strategic partnerships.