Mahama to initiate golden age of increased productivity

Accra, July 3, GNA - Dr. Edward Nasigrie Mahama, Flag bearer of the People's National Convention (PNC) on Thursday set-off a pragmatic national accelerated development agenda tagged; "Golden Age of Increased Productivity (GAIP)."

He said: "The GAIP policy would serve as a contrast to the current Golden Age of Business, which is basically buy and sell imported goods." The new agenda, when voted into power in the December polls would focus on increased productivity to enhance income with particular emphasis on agricultural production and agro-based industries. Dr Mahama outlined the initiative at the last in a series of an interactive platform dubbed; "An Evening Encounter With A Presidential Aspirants," a live political platform on Ghana Television and other media networks organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in collaboration with Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and Joy FM. The platform, under the auspices of the Ghana Political Parties Programme enables the various presidential aspirants with representation in Parliament to educate the electorate on their visions, plans and how they intend to govern the country, should they be elected as President of Ghana.

The PNC Flag bearer said the GAIP would boost agricultural productivity as the sector continues to be the largest of the economy in terms of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with over 54 percent of the workforce engaged in agricultural and agric-related business. He explained that; "Agriculture employs 54 percent of the labour force and accounts for 70 percent of the activity of the rural population," but sadly the sector continues to show poor growth mainly due to lack on infrastructural development.

He attributed the low income of farmers and fishermen to low agricultural yields, productivity and high post- harvest losses, as well as marketing constraints and low farm-gate prices.

Dr. Mahama noted that maize and rice, which were among the major crops produced in Ghana, had yields that were less than a quarter of their potential and there could be at least a four-fold increase from the same land area if remedial measures were taken. "In the last 10-15 years, a yield per hectare has remained the same at one tonne per hectare. In contrast, over the same period, yield per hectare in Malaysia, for instance, has increased three-fold to over four tonnes per hectare".

He said a PNC Government would involve farmer based associations and other agricultural related stakeholders in the formulation of agricultural policies to ensure that farmers and fishermen were able to increase production in a sustainable manner. Dr. Mahama, dressed in a beautiful designed up and down smock with special black bonnet to much answered questions from other identifiable groups including, Ghana National Association of Teachers, Students bodies, Employers Associations, Medical Practitioners and a cross-section of the public.

He also outlined measures to fight corruption, reduce poverty, increase agriculture, enhance education, youth empowerment, health care, trade, mining, and good governance. 03 July 08