Woo More Youth Into Agric Sector …Head of Family Tells Gov’t

Farm Ghana

By Our Reporter

The Head of the Nii Arde Nkpa Family of Kokrobite,Langma and Tuba Daniel Nii Arde Tagoe has asked the government to show commitment to its pledges to grow the agriculture sector since “the strength of every economy lies in the production sector.”

He said the agriculture sector must be made more attractive for the youth since it offers job opportunities in the areas of production, marketing and transportation of farm produce.

Speaking to this paper in an interview on the recently read Budget and Economic Policy Statement, Nii Tagoe averred that if the agriculture sector was given the necessary boost, it would address the current large unemployment situation affecting the youth in the country.

He urged the government to institute incentive packages in the agriculture sector to encourage the youth to go into farming, and stressed that agriculture could be the main source of revenue for the country’s development if the government attracts more youth to the sector.

Nii Arde Tagoe mentioned that the current structure where the government sought for loans to embark on infrastructure development was not sustainable, since it comes with heavy interests.

According to him, if the agriculture sector was well managed with the provision of all the necessary tools; including the provision of fertilizers, chemicals, machinery and funding, it could generate enough revenue to support Ghana’s infrastructure development.

He however welcomed the government’s interventions in the budget to boost the agriculture sector; saying that government’s recommendation to reduce tariffs by 13 percent was commendable.

He also urged the PURC to approve the government’s recommendation of tariff cuts to provide relief to electricity consumers and also said the government must be commended for making it a policy to create 100,000 jobs through the National Builders Corps and said since government is investing in education and implementing the Free Senior High School policy, it would be appropriate if more job opportunities are created to cater for future graduates.