Nation's future depends on Agriculture - Minister

“The future prosperity of Ghana depends on agriculture. The government of the New Patriotic Party would therefore work assiduously towards the development of agriculture as the base upon which other sectors of the economy can develop and grow for the benefit of the nation”, Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd), Minister of Food and Agriculture has said in London.

Major Quashigah made the assertion in an interview at the Ghana stand after touring various pavilions at the just-ended Royal Agricultural Show held in Stoneleigh, Coventry, from July 1st – 4th, 2002.

The show, organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England was officially opened by the H.R.H. The Prince of Wales – Prince Charles, who among other things, called for “new priorities to help farmers add value to their produce by focussing on quality and differentiation, rather than the relentless pursuit of quantity”.

Ghana’s stand featured a spectacular display of agro-based products including fresh fruits, vegetables, sea-foods, a range of quality processed tuna, fresh juices, cashew nuts, spices, handicrafts and garments.

Ghana’s delegation to the show led by the Minister of Food and Agriculture Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd) included; H.E. Mr Isaac Osei – Ghana High Commissioner in the UK; Daasebre Akwamoah Boateng II - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ghana Cocoa Board; Mr Frank Apeagyei – Special Adviser to the Minister of Food and Agriculture; Mr Eric Amenuvor – Minister-Counsellor/Trade; and some senior officials of the High Commission and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Also present at the show were the National Best Farmer for the year 2000, Mr Stephen Baba Kumase who was sponsored by the Government as part of his award-winning price and the two best cocoa farmers for the years 2000 and 2001 – Nana Yaw Kusi and Mr Nelson Aborgah.

Major Quashigah stressed the determination of the Government of the New Patriotic Party to make farming play its proper role as a business concern than a vocation. Towards this end, Major Quashigah said his Ministry was laying the necessary infrastructure for the youth to be encouraged into the sector in order to create wealth for themselves. He said it was only through a sustained commitment that the Ghanaian youth will shake themselves from the apathy and embrace farming as a source of livelihood, ultimately providing them respectable incomes and decent standards of living.

On his impression about the show, Major Quashigah said he was overwhelmed by the giant strides Britain has made in the agricultural sector, particularly in the aftermath of the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 and added that with dedication, hard work and commitment by our farming communities, Ghana could also ascend to that level.

“We will need to do more by stepping up production, adding value to our produce, examining our packaging techniques, and move seriously towards mechanised agriculture instead of depending on the vagaries of the weather”, he said.

In his contribution, H.E. Mr Isaac Osei said there had been major changes in the direction of the economy which had resulted in the restoration of macro-economic stability and expressed the hope that with the take-off of the agricultural sector, the nation would be charting the path for the creation of wealth for all Ghanaians.

He described the show as highly educative and informative and added that it had helped to expose the nation’s material and agricultural resources to the British market.

While in London, Major Quashigah held meetings with high profile officials in the agricultural sector and visited a number of agricultural institutions.