The Ghana Government has released GH¢1.1 billion for the creation of more jobs in the food and agricultural sector. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is expected to invest the amount to boost job-creation in the sector.
This was made public on President Akufo-Addo’s official twitter page, with the caption: “More jobs to be created in the agriculture sector #JobsForAll.”
The President added that the growth to be experienced would have a trickle-down effect on other sectors of the economy.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, had earlier explained that the modules under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme were underlying strategies “to promote agribusinesses along the value chain to ensure maximum returns to job creation for the economy of Ghana.”
The modules are the food crops, rearing for food and jobs, greenhouse technology, and farm mechanisation.
The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Yaw Frimpong Addo, gave the indication that about 1.7 million farmers would be enrolled on the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.
The first module PFJ (Crops) aims to promote food security and immediate availability of selected food crops on the market, and also provide jobs.
This module was launched by President Akufo-Addo at Goaso on April 19, 2017 in the then Brong Ahafo Region.
The objective of the programme was to ensure the immediate and adequate availability of selected food commodities, provide job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth in the agriculture and allied sectors, create general awareness for all formal workers and public institutions to farm and establish backyard gardens, and to serve as food imports substitution.
