Food insecurity looms in Ghana if… Agriculture expert

The Regional Director, West Africa AGRA, Fadel Ndiame, has predicted of food insecurity in Ghana if government fails to fully implement policies to boost agriculture production in the country. Mr. Ndiame believes Ghana possesses adequate policies outlining the framework to develop the agricultural sector but fears more work has to be done with regards to enhancing private sector participation to improve food production. He spoke to Citi News on the side of the launch of the Africa Agribusiness Network in Accra, “Ghana has all the chances, you have the scientific knowledge, the technology is available in the country and in the region, there is a local demand for the produce, I think the next step is to make sure that we promote and facilitate this  Public Private Partnership, so we have all the reason to believe that it can happen,” he stated. Commenting on whether or not the country could meet the objectives of the Malabo Declaration, Mr. Ndiame impressed upon government to put in place systems to reduce the country’s increased imports. “If your local production is more expensive, then you cannot be competitive in the market, so the key to that is to make sure that you create the condition; technology is available for farmers to have access to it, to have access to finance. If you have a surplus to be able to sell it either in the country or for exports; this is why what governments do is crucial,” he said. Chartered by the African Union in 2014, the Malabo Declaration aims at ending hunger on the African continent and as well half the levels of post-harvest losses by 2025. Ghana, like other member states of the AU have commenced processes that will enable them meet the 2025 deadline.
The Regional Director, West Africa AGRA, Fadel Ndiame, has predicted of food insecurity in Ghana if government fails to fully implement policies to boost agriculture production in the country. Mr. Ndiame believes Ghana possesses adequate policies outlining the framework to develop the agricultural sector but fears more work has to be done with regards to enhancing private sector participation to improve food production. He spoke to Citi News on the side of the launch of the Africa Agribusiness Network in Accra, “Ghana has all the chances, you have the scientific knowledge, the technology is available in the country and in the region, there is a local demand for the produce, I think the next step is to make sure that we promote and facilitate this  Public Private Partnership, so we have all the reason to believe that it can happen,” he stated. Commenting on whether or not the country could meet the objectives of the Malabo Declaration, Mr. Ndiame impressed upon government to put in place systems to reduce the country’s increased imports. “If your local production is more expensive, then you cannot be competitive in the market, so the key to that is to make sure that you create the condition; technology is available for farmers to have access to it, to have access to finance. If you have a surplus to be able to sell it either in the country or for exports; this is why what governments do is crucial,” he said. Chartered by the African Union in 2014, the Malabo Declaration aims at ending hunger on the African continent and as well half the levels of post-harvest losses by 2025. Ghana, like other member states of the AU have commenced processes that will enable them meet the 2025 deadline.
The Africa Agribusiness Network forms part of the vision of the Association of African Business Schools to champion the cause of Agribusiness Management in Africa.
 
Source – Citifm