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Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has strongly defended poultry farming as a viable job opportunity.<\/p>\n
Addressing artisans and supporters of the NDC in Suhum on Tuesday, as part of her two-day campaign tour to the Eastern Region, she reiterated the NDC\u2019s commitment to supporting the poultry sector, which she believes can create employment opportunities for the youth.<\/p>\n
Ghana consumes approximately 300,000 metric tonnes of imported poultry meat annually. However, only 5% of this is produced locally, with 95% supplemented by imports from the Netherlands, Brazil, USA, and other markets at a value of over US$400 million.<\/p>\n
The Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers (GNAP) has bemoaned the lack of investment in the poultry value chain by the government and private sector players, from hatcheries, feed mills, and processing facilities to cold chain facilities.<\/p>\n
The NDC promises to revamp the sector through technical and financial support for individuals interested in poultry farming.<\/p>\n
However, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has mocked this policy.<\/p>\n
Responding to the NPP\u2019s criticism, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang asked, \u201cIs poultry farming not a job? It is a big job. The next NDC government will build the capacity of those interested so that they do it well to avoid losses. We will provide hen coops and the birds. So while we are providing support to seamstresses and hairdressers, what about those who want to go into poultry? We believe all are important jobs. It is stealing which is not good. The government will absorb the cost of setting up the poultry farm, either by an individual or joint venture.\u201d<\/p>\n
Touching on the National Apprenticeship Program, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang expressed the NDC’s commitment to providing financial support to the youth to be trained by master craftsmen and artisans.<\/p>\n
She said trainees will be certified and supported with logistics to set up their own businesses.<\/p>\n
Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang also stated that the proposed National Women\u2019s Development Bank, when established, will provide soft loans to women to expand their businesses.<\/p>\n
She believes this will help economically empower Ghanaian women, stimulate the economy, and bring financial relief to homes.<\/p>\n
Eastern Regional Chairman of the NDC, Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor, urged women in the country to join the NDC to make history by producing the first female Vice President to champion the welfare of women at the seat of government.<\/p>\n
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