Accra, March 3, GNA - Mr Ernest Akobuor Debrah, Member for Tano North, on Wednesday observed that as at 2008 Ghana was self sufficient in all staple food except rice, meat and fish. He, however, expressed worry that Ghanaians are gradually acquiring foreign taste.

Mr Debrah, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, made the observation to debunk the assertion of President Evans Atta Mills in his State of the Nation Address that: "We have to recognise that we import most of our food at present and so we have already put into action a progressive agricultural policy, which would lead to both lower food prices and to more food security." He said taste for foreign foods such as fried rice, grapes, apple and imported fruits juices had led to the abandonment of "ekwegueme", "ofam", "apiti" and "aprapransa." Mr Debrah also spoke against Ghanaians love for foreign soccer teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Liverpool at the expense of Accra Hearts of Oak, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Aduana. He said as at 2008 Ghana was self sufficient in cassava, yam, plantain, cocoyam, maize, millet, sorghum, cowpea and groundnut. He said Ghana was importing between 300 to 400 tons of rice per annum in 2008, which was less than 200 million dollars per annum. Mr Debrah said in that year 395,000 metric tons of rice amounted to 187.3 million dollars.

Mr Kuntu Blankson, Member of Parliament for Mfantsiman East and Deputy Majority Whip said, government would strive to achieve the better Ghana agenda and the results would be there for all to see. He said the prime rate at which the banks borrowed from the Bank of Ghana had also reduced drastically from 18.5 per cent to 16.0 per cent, which indicates that the economy was doing well. He said for these gains to reflect in the pockets of Ghanaians, banks and other businesses should respond swiftly by reducing their lending rates and cost of items respectively. Mr Blankson also urged the authorities to give the legal and logistics backing to enable it perform its functions effectively and efficiently. He commended the President for the idea to establish Member of Parliament (MP) Development Fund this year as well as construction of constituency offices for all the 230 MPs. Mr Mathias Puozaa, member for Nadowli East said the disbursement of the GETFund should be revised because so much was spend on tertiary education to the neglect of basic education. On the National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Richard Anane, member for Nhyiaeso, said for ten months some contributors of the Scheme have not paid their claims saying this came out at the Regional Health Directorate meeting in Brong Ahafo Region.