Government To Increase Investment In Agriculture

Government is determined to increase its investment in agriculture in order to guarantee internal food security and make the country a net exporter of food.

Vice-President John Dramani Mahama gave the hint at a durbar organised by the Chiefs and people of Botoku in the Volta Region last Saturday, in honour of Ms Sena Akua Dansua, Minister for Women and Children Affairs, who hails from the community.

Ms Dansua was enthroned as "Ngoyifia" (Development Queen), under the stool name "Mama Nyuiewaa" in honour of her elevation to a Cabinet Minister and also being the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi Constituency for the past 12 years.

Vice President Mahama said Ghana's continuous dependence on other countries for its food needs is a dent on the country's pride and sovereignty.

He said the Government will soon re-package the Youth in Agriculture Programme, as part of measures to broaden the frontiers and scope of the sector, to make it beneficial, especially to the youth to reflect the aspirations of Government for the sector.

Vice President Mahama said Government is streamlining the bureaucratic bottlenecks to make agri-business lucrative, attractive and devoid of frustrations.

He urged the youth to reposition themselves in order to reap the full benefits of the Government's agriculture programmes, which holds the answer to youth unemployment.

Vice President Mahama commended the traditional authorities for the honour done the Minister and urged the youth, especially girls in the community to emulate her sterling example.

Vice President Mahama said the Vakpo-Botoku-Tsoxor road will soon be given attention.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister commended the chiefs and people of Botoku for honouring Mama Nyuiewaa and urged the youth to take their education seriously because "it's the key to development."

He advised the Municipal and District Chief Executives and their Members of Parliament (MPs) to work cordially to help facilitate the rapid development of the region.

Togbe Atakora IV, Mankrado of Botoku Traditional Area said the honour bestowed on Mama Nyuiewaa is to stimulate hard work and excellence in the youth of the area with parents playing their roles well by investing in education.

Thanking her Chiefs and people for honouring her, Mama Nyuiewaa said "am flattered," and pledged to work hard.

She appealed to the people to bury their differences and position themselves towards installing a new chief to facilitate development in the area.

Source: GNA