General News of Friday, 5 December 2014
Source: myjoyonline.com
President John Mahama has charged Ghanaians to consume locally produced foods to accelerate economic development and create sustainable jobs for the youth. He said consumption of locally produced food will also ensure good health for Ghanaians.
The President’s admonition was the crux of his message at the 30th National Farmers Day celebrations at Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western Region.
“If we eat what we grow, it will create jobs in Ghana. If all of us will begin to make a point to begin to eat Ghana products, we will create more jobs in this country and there will no problem of youth unemployment because we can expand agriculture and make incomes better for our people all over the country”, President John Mahama said.
He also said consumption of local foods was also important for good health.
“Because our foods are natural and fresh… Indeed in developed countries they are looking for the kinds of food that we eat now. They call them organic foods and they pay a higher price for those foods than what they grow themselves…and eating what we grow will promote economic growth. It will save Ghana $1.5 billion on imported food products,” the President remarked.
He, however, said the nation has made a lot of progress in achieving food sufficiency despite the huge food import bill of more than 1.5 billion dollars annually.
President John Mahama went ahead to announce that government is rolling out measures to mechanise agriculture, modernise its practise and provide reliable irrigation systems.
National Best Farmer’s remarks
Owner of Europa Farms, George Amankwaah, was declared the National Best Farmer at the Day’s celebrations.
He called for increased government support to improve agriculture.
Some farmers however challenged government to back its call on Ghanaians to consume locally produced food with increased investments in the agricultural sector.