Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Okay, said the country would continue to seek financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) until it better utilizes its natural resources and pays attention to agriculture.
He said investments in this sector would create a huge industry that would make the country self-sufficient and highly dependent.
“Today we are attending the 17th International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting.th Unless we take advantage of the fruits of the soil that our God has given us naturally, we will continue to go to the IMF,” Professor Oukaye said.
He said this at the 2023 Akufohole National Best Farmer Lecture held at the University of Ghana (UG) in Accra.
The theme of the lecture was “Resilience, Technology, and Humanism: The Past, Present, and Future of Ghanaian Farmers.”
The aim was to make agriculture attractive to the country’s youth and change their lives.
Professor Okuei said countries such as India have recognized and leveraged the benefits of agriculture and are now able to produce enough food to feed their citizens and other citizens.
He said India is not worried about wars in Russia and Ukraine as it is not dependent on the two countries for food.
On the other hand, Professor Okuaye said that although Ghana owned vast arable land, it was severely affected by the war because it relied on both countries for food.
He called on the government to take critical note of and “commit to” the University of Ghana’s efforts to sensitize youth to agriculture through Aquafo Hall.
“If farmers support us so that we don’t import overstocked food and we have plenty of food, then even if Russia or Ukraine sneezes, Ghana won’t have a cold. “There will be no withdrawal,” he said.
Aquafo Hall Master Professor Kwaku Oppong Asante says the hall is ready to host a Farmers Center of Excellence to spearhead the monitoring of students interested in turning agriculture into a business. Ta.
He also said the hall will provide an on-campus office for America’s Best Farmers and will be responsible for organizing the annual Farmers Symposium to make agriculture more attractive to young people.
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