As Ghana marks the 40th Farmers’ Day Celebration, under the theme “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security”, stakeholders have called on the government to make adequate investment into the Agricultural sector to ensure food security and jobs.
The Farmers’ Day edition of 3FM Sunrise Mobile Morning Show with Johnnie Hughes, Helen Appiah-Ampofo and the team brought together stakeholders in the Agricultural sector to jaw-jaw on the state of Ghana’s Agric sector and food security.
The journey began from Pokuase at 6 am to the final destination in the central business district of Accra at 10 am, making stops at Achimota Mile 7, Achimota Old Station, Abeka Junction and Circle.
Onboard the 3FM Mobile Sunrise Morning Show Royal VVIP bus for the second edition were; Sussie Lamptey, the Head of Administration of GAWU, Michelle Amoo-Gyasi, Research Scientist and National Chairman of GAWU, Benedicta Plahar from the Food Research Institute (FRI), and Jerry Laryea from the Animal Research Institute (ARI).
Benedicta Plahar from the Food Research Institute (FRI), stated that the sure way for Ghana to have food security is for government to invest into research to offer farmers insight into best farming methods and have access to the best of seeds. She also cautioned against the excessive use of counter productive agrochemicals and resort to the use of organic manure such as animal droppings.
Farmer, Daniel Owusu bemoaned the high cost of land and other implements which are making cost of production very high and farming less profitable, thereby making farmers impoverished.
“My farm is at East Legon Hills on rented land at the moment but the plan is to get our own farmland very soon. The government should help us get funds to expand our farms and employ more hands to lessen the unemployment problem in Ghana. I currently employ two people” Daniel Owusu stated while encouraging urban farming.
On his part, Jerry Laryea from the Animal Research Institute mentioned that despite the high national protein needs of Ghana, not much investment has been made by the government to enhance the production of poultry and meat products.
He added that given the quantum of poultry and meat products that are imported and consumed in the country, it implies that jobs are being created for the people in those countries the products are imported from, while unemployment keeps rising in Ghana.
“When you compare the locally bred chicken and the imported cold store ones, you will know that the local one taste far better and is high in nutrients while the imported one gives very low nutrients” Mr. Laryea also disclosed.
Head of Administration of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Sussie Lamptey assured farmers and prospective farmers to feel free to join GAWU to tap into their expertise and research knowledge for a successful career in agriculture.
The theme for the 3FM Sunrise Mobile Show: ‘Real Stories, Real Opinions, Real People’ symbolizes the station’s quest to drive healthy and worthy conversations about Ghana while promoting peace and tolerance ahead of the December 7 General Elections.
This initiative does not only offer the commuters a free cozy bus ride but offers them a platform to get their voices heard on issues bothering them and their communities as well as network with others.
The next edition of 3FM Mobile Sunrise Morning Show comes off on Friday 15th November, 2024. Get on board for a cozy free ride amidst beautiful people and exciting conversations from Ashaiman to Circle.
By Samuel Afriyie Owusu
