General News of Thursday, 11 September 2008

Source: GNA

Akufo-Addo promises pension scheme for farmers

Banso (Ash), Sept. 11, GNA - Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated that he would institute pension scheme for farmers should he be elected president in the forthcoming general elections. He said farmers contributed immensely to the national economy and deserved to be adequately rewarded after years of sacrificing to feed the nation.

Nana Akufo-Addo who was speaking at separate durbars held in his honour when he toured some selected communities in the Asante Akim South District on Wednesday, said the time had come for the introduction of policies that would secure the future of farmers in recognition of their role in national development.

He said the situation where farmers retired without any benefit unlike their colleagues in the formal sector was disheartening, saying his government would rectify the situation.

He acknowledged that agriculture had received major boost under the present NPP administration, and promised to go a step further to make agriculture attractive to youth when given the nod.

The NPP flagbearer noted that construction of accessible roads to cocoa growing areas would be prioritized in his administration, and urged Ghanaians to return the NPP to power for sustainable development.