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Tag: Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

  • I am confident that Bawumia will lead the NPP to victory in 2024 – Afriyie Akoto

    I am confident that Bawumia will lead the NPP to victory in 2024 – Afriyie Akoto

    Former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has thrown his support behind the newly elected New Patriotic Party flagbearer.

    Speaking at the event where Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was introduced as the new leader, he expressed confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s ability to lead the party to victory in the 2024 elections.

    According to him, the party has made history by bringing Dr Bawumia.

    “From today, we are going to see a new face. I am very confident that having worked with the Vice President on all the major institutions of the government for 6 years, he will lead us to victory come 2024“…,” he said on Saturday, November 4.

    Earlier, the former minister conceded defeat to Dr Bawumia ahead of the official declaration of results.

    In an interview with Joy News, he said that he had already called the Vice President to congratulate him and assured him of his support to enable the NPP ‘Break the 8’.

    “First of all, let me congratulate the Vice President for such an emphatic victory. It means the New Patriotic Party has spoken with a huge voice that we have chosen Dr Bawumia to lead us into the elections next year.

    “I have already called him to congratulate him on that, and we will be meeting at the stadium for the official announcement and formalities, but finally we are drawing a line in a very major historic event for the party which is choosing our leader for the coming years.”

    While acknowledging the victory of Dr Bawumia, the former Minister noted his disappointment in losing in the polls.

    According to him, he had gone into the race with the expectation of winning, nonetheless, he was appreciative of the delegates who cast their vote in his favour.

    “…I really appreciate the delegates who stood by me and voted for me, it means that my message went down well with them,” he said on Saturday.

    He also entreated all aspirants and party members to work together in unity to defeat the opposition National Democratic Party in 2024.

  • Party contractors are not paid because they support me – Dr. Owusu Afriyie

    Party contractors are not paid because they support me – Dr. Owusu Afriyie

    A contender for the flagbearer position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has strongly criticized the party’s leadership for its handling of the ongoing race to select the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.

    During an interview with the media, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, accused the party’s leadership of displaying bias in their approach to dealing with individuals who are disregarding the party’s rules.

    He expressed concern that the unfolding events in the campaign for the primaries are indicative of a lack of discipline within the NPP.

    He highlighted that while high-ranking officials within the party and the government openly endorse a particular candidate without facing repercussions, those who declare their support for him and other candidates are facing punitive measures.

    “There is some sort of force being used – intimidation… those contractors who do not seem to be for this candidate are not paid when they complete their jobs. And they have taken huge sums of money from the banks and the interest rates are 35%, 40%. They are not paid and are being punished for supporting someone else.”

    “But if somebody has done a job or a contract with the government, and they are not paid, while are those who declare for that particular candidate are paid,” he said.

    Dr. Afriyie Akoto made allegations about contractors who are openly supporting certain candidates in the race being denied payment for their work.

    He claimed that these contractors are being subjected to some form of coercion and intimidation, resulting in their non-payment, despite having completed their contracts.

    He stated that these contractors have borrowed substantial amounts from banks with high interest rates and are consequently suffering financial hardships due to the lack of payment and the associated interest costs.

    The NPP is currently conducting its presidential primaries, with ten individuals vying for the position.

    The primaries are scheduled for August and November 2023. A super delegate conference is planned for August 26, 2023, to narrow down the number of contenders to five, while the main primaries are set to take place on November 4, 2023, to select the party’s presidential candidate for the upcoming 2024 elections.

    The list of candidates includes notable figures such as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen, energy expert Kwadwo Poku, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Joe Ghartey, former General Secretary of the NPP Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, MP for Assin Central Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former MP for Offinso North Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, and former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko.

  • 6 NPP founders throw support behind Afriyie Akoto

    6 NPP founders throw support behind Afriyie Akoto

    Six out of the seven surviving founding fathers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti region have wholeheartedly thrown their support behind Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto as the party’s most viable contender for the coveted flagbearer position.

    Described as the ‘Big Six’ due to their substantial influence in contemporary Ghanaian politics, these elder statesmen visited Dr. Akoto at his residence in Danyame on August 5, 2023.

    Led by Chairman Kofi Obiri Yeboah, they engaged with Dr. Akoto, delving into his vision for the party and the nation at large.

    Their collective aim is to reignite unity within the party as they approach the 2024 general elections.

    The esteemed members of this group include Akwasi Gyeabour Asante, William Asafu-Agyei, George Appiah, Nicholas Kofi Nyantakyi, and Peter Kwabena Anokye. The seventh member, Owusu Badu, sought permission from the Chairman to be absent.

    The ‘Big Six’ expressed unwavering confidence in Dr. Akoto’s ability to steer both the NPP and Ghana, citing his exemplary track record within the party and his tenure as the Minister of Food and Agriculture under President Akufo-Addo.

    This endorsement comes as part of Dr. Akoto’s campaign for the NPP flagbearer position. Similar endorsements have already been received from constituency chairpersons in the Greater Accra, Volta, and Central regions of the country.

    Dr. Akoto expressed his elation and gratitude for the support shown by the Founding Fathers, emphasizing the significance of their backing. He highlighted his familial connection to the party’s origins and the role his father played in its formation.

    “I am elated by the endorsement of the Founding Fathers of the NPP in the Ashanti Region. The promise that their votes will be for me come August 26, 2023 signifies the confidence they have reposed in me and I am very grateful to them for expressing such huge support for my candidature to bear the flag of the NPP”, he noted.

    He added, “this show of support by the Founding Fathers is very significant to me because as you know the origin of the party started with the intervention of my father, Baffour Osei Akoto, who together with others, on the 19th of September, 1994 performed certain rites for the creation of the National Liberation Movement (NLM),made up of the Northern Peoples Party, led by the late S.G Dombo;the Togo Congress and others from the Anlo Youth Organisation and the Greater Accra region came together to form the United Party (UP) soon after independence in 1957.

    Allen Gyimah, Deputy Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP and Coordinator for ‘Team Akoto’ in the Ashanti Region, underscored the party’s desire for effective leadership in the upcoming elections.

    The resounding endorsement from the ‘Big Six’ further solidifies Dr. Akoto’s candidacy as he strives to lead the NPP into the 2024 general elections.

  •  I convinced world bank to allocate $200m into my Tree Crop vision – Afriyie Akoto

     I convinced world bank to allocate $200m into my Tree Crop vision – Afriyie Akoto

    Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has revealed that he personally approached the World Bank to secure funding for the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA). Recognizing the immense potential of the TCDA’s revenue base and its potential to positively impact Ghana’s economy, Dr. Afriyie Akoto took the initiative to seek external financial support.

    He explained that his proactive approach was motivated by the slow pace at which the government was disbursing the allocated seed money of $5 million per year for the first three years of the TCDA’s establishment, resulting in a total of $15 million.
    However, during the initial three-year period, only $3 million had been disbursed to the Authority, which proved to be insufficient for its operational needs.
    The TCDA was established under the Act of Parliament, 2019 (Act 1010), with the mandate to develop and regulate the tree crop sub-sector and address related matters. As part of this mission, the TCDA is driving the Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP).
    “As we speak, only US$ 3 million has been disbursed to promote the objectives of the Tree Crop Development Authority. While the slow disbursement of the seed money was going on, I engaged the World Bank to see how best they can assist us. So, they saw my vision that this is something that can easily make Ghana a prosperous country if we just took care of that particular Authority. So, the engagement went on and I am glad that only a few months that I left office, the World Bank itself has put up a statement that they are prepared to support the Authority with US$200 million. It is just a relief for me,” he noted. 

    The combined growth of these six tree crops is projected to earn Ghana between US$ 6 billion to US$12 billion annually after six or seven years of implementation.

    The financing of the Tree Crop Diversification Project will further support demand-driven research and enhance on-farm productivity and resilience to improve productivity, profitability, and climate resilience in the cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber value chains.

    Commenting further on the facility, Dr. Akoto who is a former two-term Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, lauded the International Development Association for extending the financial support for the Tree Crop Diversification Project.

    He expressed the belief that the US$200 million injected into the TCDP would speed up the activities of the TCDA, an action, he underscored, was the surest way to salvage the country’s economic woes.

    Dr. Akoto emphasized the significance of agriculture, particularly the tree crop sector, for the economic transformation of Ghana.

    Drawing attention to the success of Ivory Coast, he highlighted that the combined annual export earnings from five cash crops including cashew, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and oil palm, amounted to approximately US$8 billion annually.

    Dr. Akoto underscored Ghana’s advantageous position compared to Ivory Coast due to its abundant arable land, ample water resources, and favorable rainfall patterns.

    Expressing confidence in the impact of the recently secured financing, he stated that the Tree Crop Development Authority’s (TCDA) Board and Management would now be well-equipped to pursue the Authority’s objectives and drive positive economic turnaround in Ghana.

    “I am very confident now that with the capable Management and Board of the Authority, they will be able to implement and make this a very unique contribution to the transformation of Ghana and that is the vision I am bringing to the Presidency of Ghana if I am elected first as the flagbearer of the NPP and subsequently as President come 7th December 2024 if the people of Ghana are convinced of this vision, this will be my central contribution in terms of promoting development in Ghana by transforming the economy”, he noted.

    He commended farmers in the country for their commitment to feeding Ghanaians, stressing that the smallholder farmers were ready to support the government to turn the economic fortunes of Ghana around using agriculture.

    Dr. Akoto also commended the current Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong for continuing from where he left over with the introduction of the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).

  • Afriyie Akoto campaigns in Greater Accra today

    Afriyie Akoto campaigns in Greater Accra today

    A flagbearer hopeful of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto will on Monday, July 3, 2023, begin a nationwide campaign tour starting with the Greater Accra Region.

    The two-term Member of Parliament for Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region will first visit the Shai-Osudoku constituency, Ningo-Prampram constituency and then Ashaiman constituency where he will meet with polling station executives and delegates to sell his vision for the party and Ghana to them.

    On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, he will visit Domeabra-Obom, Ayawaso East and Ayawaso North Constituencies where he’ll convince the delegates to vote for him to become the party’s Presidential Candidate for the 2024 election.

    The former Minister for Food and Agriculture will then move his campaign to the Central and Eastern Regions.

    He will be accompanied by two Co-campaign Chairmen, Alfred Boye, a former Greater Accra NPP Regional Chairman, and KEN-WUUD Norwusu, also former NPP Volta Regional Chairman, the National Coordinator of the campaign team, Peter Oteng Darko and Campaign Spokesperson, Dr. Prince Sodoke Amuzu.

    The New Patriotic Party on May 26, 2023, opened nominations for its Presidential Primary and closed on June 24, 2023.

  • Afriyie Akoto obtains tractor deal for Ghana

    Afriyie Akoto obtains tractor deal for Ghana

    A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has successfully secured a tractor manufacturing plant deal for Ghana, aiming to enhance mechanized farming and promote agricultural growth.

    The deal is expected to benefit other countries in the West African sub-region as well.

    Discussions between Dr. Akoto and Hattat Traktör directors during his visit to Turkey focused on creating an enabling environment for the business, policy formulation, and accessibility and affordability issues.

    Dr. Akoto, emphasizing Africa’s potential as an investment destination, highlighted the benefits of establishing the manufacturing plant in Ghana, including access to the ECOWAS community market.

    The directors of Hattat Traktör plan to visit Ghana to present their proposal officially to the government. Hattat Traktör, established in 1998, produces tractor models with advanced technology and has received awards for its designs and performance.

    Dr. Akoto, prioritizing the agricultural sector, believes public funding and mechanized farming can drive Ghana’s economic development.

    The growth of mechanization in Ghana’s agricultural sector has been relatively low, and efforts to modernize and increase mechanization are crucial for sustainable productivity.

    The potential establishment of the Hattat Traktör assembling plant in Ghana would significantly contribute to mechanized farming, bolstering food security in the country and the ECOWAS community at large.

  • I’m not affected by the multitudes cheering my opponents – Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

    I’m not affected by the multitudes cheering my opponents – Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

    Contender for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer-ship, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has submitted his nomination forms at the party headquarters on Monday, June 19, 2023.

    He appealed to party members to join forces to help ‘Break the 8’ in the December 2024 election.

    He said the party needed unity and inclusiveness to win the election.

    “You cannot break the 8 with half an egg, It has to be the full egg and everybody in this party is important in this respect, especially the delegates who have been given the constitutional powers to choose a flagbearer of this party,” he said.

    He also asked the delegates to vote for him as the best candidate to lead the party to victory.

    “I hope that at the end of the day, we will be given the opportunity for delegates to listen to us and make the right choice so that this party can retain power come 2024.”

    Meanwhile, Dr Akoto said he was not impressed by the crowds that accompanied his competitors’ filing of nomination forms.

    He said he decided to submit his forms with only core members of his campaign team, rather than hiring supporters.

    “Let me say here that everybody who has come here including representatives of farmers, are here on their own accord. You cannot see any bused crowd, or any big commercial vehicle bringing people to come and support.

    “People have come on their own volition and own conviction that my candidature will be good for the people of Ghana and the NPP, and I am very grateful.”, he said.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Afriyie Akoto to file nomination today Monday, June 19

    Afriyie Akoto to file nomination today Monday, June 19

    Today, on June 19, 2023, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a hopeful flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), will submit his nomination forms at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.

    Accompanied by prominent figures within the party such as former national and regional officers, former Members of Parliament, constituency executives, Electoral Area Coordinators, and Polling Station Executives, Dr. Akoto will make his official bid for the flagbearer position.

    Following the submission of his nomination forms, Dr. Akoto will address the media and a large gathering of party supporters who share his vision. Those close to the respected politician anticipate that he will deliver a significant statement, emphasizing his vision for both the party and the nation as a whole.

    This statement is expected to resonate deeply with his followers and generate enthusiasm for his candidacy.

    This vision, if adopted and implemented, will change the fortunes of the party and massively transform Ghana’s economy, according to Dr. Akoto’s close associates.

    The nomination forms were picked on behalf of the former Minister for Food and Agriculture by a group of farmers and friends on May 29, 2023, as a sign of support for his presidential ambition.

    By filing the nonination forms on Monday, the two-time Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, will be the third aspiring candidate to file his nomination forms after former Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

    Both Alan and Bawumia submitted their forms last Monday, June 12, 2023, and Friday, June 16, 2023, respectively.

    The NPP opened nominations on May 26, 2023, with aspirants given up to June 24 to submit forms.

    So far, 10 presidential hopefuls have picked up nomination forms to contest the NPP’s flagbearer slot.

    They include: Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the immediate past Minister of Trade and Industry, Kwabena Adjei Agyapong, a former General-Secretary of the Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, and Joe Ghartey, the Member of Parliament for Essikadu-Ketan and former Minister of Railway Development.

    The rest are Boakye Agyarko, former Minister of Energy, Prof. Addai Nimoh, former MP for Mampong, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, and Kwadwo Nsafoa Opoku, an expert in energy and related matters.

    A Special Delegates Congress will be held on August 26, 2023, to select five of the presidential aspirants.

    The top five aspirants will then contest for the flagbearer slot on December 4, 2023, to elect one to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.

  • Dr. Afriyie Akoto to pick nomination forms today

    Dr. Afriyie Akoto to pick nomination forms today

    A flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, will pick up his nomination paperwork today at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down to begin the process of filing to contest for the Presidential Primary.

    Persons familiar with the campaign activities of Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto say the exercise will be done by a group of party faithful called Friends of Dr. Afriyie Akoto.

    “This group strongly believes in Dr. Afriyie Akoto and has therefore mobilized their own resources to support him. They keep on urging Dr. Afriyie Akoto to contest for the flagbearer position to save the party. So, they will pick the nomination forms today and go and hand it over to Dr. Afriyie Akoto at his Campaign Office. This is to urge him on”, Benjamin Oduro who is familiar with the campaign activities of Dr. Afriyie Akoto hinted.

    Should the exercise go on as planned, the picking of nomination forms by Dr. Afriyie Akoto will bring to five the number of flagbearer hopefuls who have picked the forms to contest the party’s Presidential Primary.

    When nominations opened on Friday, May 26, 2023, a former Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, former MP for Mampong constituency, Kofi Addae Nimo, former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko and former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, picked their nomination form to signal their readiness for the contest.

    It is however not clear when the MP for Essikado Ketan, Joe Ghartey, former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will pick their nomination forms.

    All have publicly announced their intentions to contest the party’s Presidential Primary.

    On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, announced the roadmap to the party’s Presidential Primary.

    In a statement released in Accra, opening of nominations was fixed at Friday, May 26, 2023 while nominations closes on June 24, 2023.

    The party scheduled Saturday, August 26, 2023, as a day for its Special Electoral College Election if the candidates for its Presidential Primary exceed five.

    It also scheduled Saturday, November 4, 2023, to hold its National Congress to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.

  • Farmers want me as president – Afriyie Akoto

    Farmers want me as president – Afriyie Akoto

    A flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said that majority of farmers want him to become Ghana’s next president.

    Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said majority of NPP delegates who are farmers benefited from the policies and programmes he initiated during his tenure as the Food and Agric Minister.

    Speaking to journalists in Accra, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto says his track record makes him the clear favourite.

    “Most of these farmers I met in Upper East, Upper West, Savannah regions are also delegates and party constituencies executives. The one million farmers are the ones who will bear witness to me. Just go to any farmer and ask about the impact I have had on their lives when I was Minister for Food and Agriculture. And they will confess to you, they will tell you. They will vote for me to win,” Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said.

    Dr. Akoto officially resigned to focus on his Presidential ambition as he wants to lead the New Patriotic Party into the 2024 general elections.

    He served as a Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region for two terms.

    In Parliament, he held the position of Deputy Ranking Member and subsequently the substantive Ranking Member for the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs until 2017 when he was appointed the Minister for Food and Agriculture.

    The former Food and Agriculture Minister is in fierce competition with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, and Francis Addai Nimo who have declared their intention to contest in the party’s flagbearership race.

    The others include former MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyapong, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, and former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko.

    The NPP has set November 4, 2023, for its presidential primaries to select a flagbearer for the general elections in 2024.

    However, if more than five candidates file to run in the primaries, the party will call a Special Congress on August 26.

    The nomination period for the presidential primaries will begin on May 26 and end on June 24, 2023.

  • Young people need work, the agricultural industry offers the key – Dr. Afriyie Akoto

    Young people need work, the agricultural industry offers the key – Dr. Afriyie Akoto

    According to Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag, the agriculture sector has been highlighted as the solution to Ghana’s high rate of youth unemployment. Dr. Afriyie Akoto stated during a Town Hall Meeting hosted by the NPP Canada branch that Ghana simply needed to make the right investment to fully realize the sector’s potential.

    He underlined that the agriculture industry offers a wide range of employment options, including industrialization, agroprocessing, and advertising, among others. Dr. Afriyie Akoto argued that Ghana’s fortunes may change with the right investments.

    Dr. Afriyie Akoto’s vision is targeted at the youth. He believes that to have an impact on the youth is to create job opportunities for them, and the agriculture sector holds the key. He made this observation on Monday, May 7, 2023, when he interacted with the party faithful on his vision for the UP Tradition and Ghana as a whole.

    “My vision is really targeted at the youth. To have an impact on the youth is to create job opportunities for them. They youth really need jobs and the agriculture sector holds the key”, he noted.

    Responding to a question about the fate of NPP youth under his leadership, Dr. Afriyie Akoto noted that the approach to addressing the myriads of unemployment issues confronting the youth has to do with pragmatic policies. He assured the audience that under his leadership, he will put in place policies that prioritize investment in the agriculture sector.

    Dr. Afriyie Akoto proposed setting up an Agriculture Management Team under his leadership as President of Ghana. The team will consist of seven notable ministries related to agriculture, including the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Ministry of Roads and Highways, and Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

    He also expressed disappointment with the declining fortunes of the poultry industry, which he has little control over due to international trade challenges. Dr. Afriyie Akoto acknowledged the challenges that poultry farmers have faced over the years, such as the high cost of poultry feed. However, he emphasized that Ghana’s production of soy has gone up from 150,000 metric tons to 230,000 metric tons, and that international trade is a significant factor in the challenges facing the poultry industry.

    “I know the challenge the poultry farmers have gone through over the years to the extent that prices of poultry feed have more than doubled in some cases. Some have attributed the challenge to lack of enough maize whiles others too are saying it has to do with unavailability of soya beans. Well, our production of soy has gone up from 150,000 metric tons to 230,000 metric tons and that is no mean an achievement. The thing is that a lot of these things have to do with international trade. We are bringing chicken into this country at something like GHS14.00 per kilo when the total cost of production as we are speaking is more than GHS35.00 per kilo. With that, I cannot see how anybody can produce chicken in the European Union or America. You put it in a ship, brig it all the way to Tema and charge GHS14.00. Obviously, there is some distortionary burden somewhere”, he said.

    Dr. Afriyie Akoto’s proposals were well received by the audience, who saw them as pragmatic solutions to the unemployment crisis facing Ghana’s youth. 

    His vision for the agriculture sector as a key driver of economic growth and job creation resonated with many, and his proposal to set up an Agriculture Management Team has been praised as a bold and innovative approach to tackling the challenges facing the sector.

  • You remain key to Ghana’s development – Dr Afriyie Akoto tells workers

    You remain key to Ghana’s development – Dr Afriyie Akoto tells workers

    A prospective New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has sent a sincere message to Ghanaian workers thanking them for their dedication.

    Ahead of the May Day celebration, Dr Akoto in a statement issued on Sunday, April 30, 2023, said “I salute all workers of Ghana for their immense contribution to our nation building.”

    The former Agric Minister also noted that he acknowledges “the potential of our workers to advance the development of our dear nation”.

    International Labor Day also known as May Day is celebrated every year across the world on May 1.

    It is mainly celebrated in recognition of the struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement. It is also celebrated to raise awareness about the rights and opportunities every labour should get for their welfare and betterment.

    Monday, May 1, 2023, which marks May Day has been declared a Statutory Public Holiday in Ghana by the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery.

    The day will be marked at Bolgatanga, capital of Upper East Region where the President of the Republic of Ghana is expected to address thousands of Ghanaian workers.

  • Dr. Afriyie Akoto criticizes Mahama for failing to solve cocoa swollen under his tenure

    Dr. Afriyie Akoto criticizes Mahama for failing to solve cocoa swollen under his tenure

    Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former minister of food and agriculture, has criticized former President John Dramani Mahama for neglecting to take action to address the country’s cocoa swollen shoot virus epidemic during his administration.

    Many hectares of farmland were harmed by the disease, and the former president, according to Dr. Afriyie Akoto, should have proposed some solutions to stop its recurrence.

    Parts of the country were severely hit by the swollen shoot virus disease during the erstwhile Mahama administration. Western and Eastern regions were the most affected.

    Cases of the disease were recorded in Ghana between 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2021, where millions of trees were affected.

    But laying the blame on Mr. Mahama, on the Point of View with Bernard Avle, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said, “cocoa production has almost stagnated and for a good reason. The swollen shoot virus disease set in about 11 years ago. The NDC-Mahama administration should have taken measures immediately when the incident started to stop spreading. But it was only when we came that through the African Development Bank, we managed to get a loan for rehabilitation to control the virus in the cocoa industry. The project started in 2020, it’s in 3rd year of implementation”.

    He stressed, “the Ivorians took measures when it should have been taken, unlike Ghana where it festered to the extent that Western North production came down. We have taken some measures to correct something which should have been done 10 years back”.

    The cocoa swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD) is one of the most devastating diseases on cacao and causes significant production losses and death of cacao trees. The CSSVD is caused by a badnavirus within the family Caulimoviridae.

  • I’ll prevail in NPP flagbearer contest – Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie

    I’ll prevail in NPP flagbearer contest – Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie

    Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former minister of food and agriculture, is convinced he would prevail in the flagbearership race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    He expressed confidence that he would receive a resounding majority of the party’s delegate votes to lead the party in the general elections of 2024.

    According to him, the delegates will choose a competent person to lead the party.

    “Well you go into a contest to win, so I’m in the contest hoping to win, and I know that God will bless me to win this contest,” Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said.

    Speaking on the Point of View on Citi TV, with Bernard Avle, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said he’s not worried that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is in the race adding that he does not have any advantage over him and the other hopefuls.

    “The incumbency of the Vice President does not worry me at all, it doesn’t give any advantage over others. The party people know who is who. You just have to make sure that they know you are in the race. Most of our delegates are rural people, they benefitted from Planting for Food and Jobs. They are part of the 1.7 million farmers that have benefitted from the PFJ. So they relate to what I’m doing,” a flagbearer hopeful of NPP said.

    He added, “NPP is not an ethnic party, it’s a national party so if the delegates decide who is competent enough to lead them, they will vote for the person. So what is it about tribalism and all that, I can’t understand it”.

    Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto who has been silent after resigning explained that he does not want to break the party’s rules by campaigning vigorously.

    “The party has regulations, and I’m the last person to break regulations which state that until the party sets a date and invites potential contestants to come and pick forms and so on and so forth, there should be no campaigning. This has been grossly overlooked by a lot of people, I wasn’t going to stampede into that. But it doesn’t mean that I’m not working,” he explained.

  • Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto speaks on the future of Ghana’s economy

    Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto speaks on the future of Ghana’s economy

    Former minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, will today, March 13, 2023, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), deliver a public lecture on “The future of the economy of Ghana”.

    The event will kick-start in the afternoon at about 14:00 GMT and will see the former agriculture minister share insights into building the agricultural sector into a bedrock for financing the development of other sectors of the Ghanaian economy.

    At an encounter with a group of Editors and Senior Journalists in Accra on Saturday, March 11, 2023, Dr. Akoto said the potential in the agricultural sector is huge, believing that the sector has the prospect to turn around the fortunes of Ghana and permanently eliminate the syndrome of going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) whenever there is distress in the economy.

    Dr. Akoto who has set his eyes on the flag bearer position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) but is yet to officially declare his intention to contest, noted that at the core of his vision for Ghana when given the nod to lead the UP Tradition and subsequently becomes the President of the Republic, is the prioritization of public resources to the agricultural sector.

    “Agriculture by far has the biggest potential to turn around the fortunes of this country. It is not gold or oil or any other resource. The potential is so huge. We have a very fortunate situation and you may not be aware. There is something I’ve learned about Ghanaian farmers. You give them the smallest incentives and they will run a mile with it and that is a resource we need to exploit to the earth. If we can exploit the willingness of the Ghanaian farmer, our country will be great”, he noted.

    He added, “Look at what our farmers have done with the Planting for Food and Jobs by providing them subsidies – seed and fertilizer? And it is not all the farmers. In 2018, I conducted an agricultural census to count the number of farmers in Ghana which has never been done for 38 years. We came up with 3.1 million professional farmers in this country. Planting for Food and Jobs by 2021 had benefitted 1.7 million professional farmers – that is half of the farmers’ population and even with half, look at what has happened to Ghana’s agriculture. In 2021, agriculture had the highest growth in the 4th Republic, 8.4%. In the eye of the storm of COVID-19 in the year 2020, when all countries were down, Ghana’s agricultural sector growth was 7.4%. The Planting for Food and Jobs was working and kept Ghana going. The Ghanaian farmer is a resource sitting and waiting to be exploited and for me, the future of this country is to give incentives to these farmers for them to produce the surpluses and foreign exchanges to finance our industrial development; our education; our hospitals, health and infrastructure and all those things. We can do it”.

    To Dr. Akoto, also a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, said the success story of the Planting for Food and Jobs is attributed to the prioritization of public resources to the agricultural sector by the NPP government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Monday’s public lecture, he noted, will share more light on the success story of the Planting for Food and Jobs and other initiatives he executed as political head of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

    The event will also see him share with the public the potential that exists in other agricultural initiatives, which he believes could contribute immensely to turning around the fortunes of Ghana.

  • Historical context: The government is attempting to lower food prices

    Historical context: The government is attempting to lower food prices

    On June 20, 2022, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the country’s then-minister of food and agriculture, declared that the government was striving to lower food prices.

    He maintains that outside influences can be ascribed to the country’s high food prices.

    Additionally, he denied assertions that there was a food scarcity in the nation.

    There is no food shortage, according to Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.

    Contrary to what has been asserted, food is not scarce in Ghana; rather, it is expensive because of external factors.

    The Minister asserted that external factors, including as a surge in imported chemicals, were to blame for the increase in food prices rather than changes in Ghana’s policy.

    As part of his official visit, he addressed MOFA personnel and farmers in the Eastern Region. He informed them that the government was reducing production costs to help customers despite external issues beyond its control.

    “We are pushing farmers to transition to organic fertilizers generated locally to lessen fertilizer scarcity on food production and asked the far west to move swiftly to compost.”

    Dr. Afriyie Akoto said the government was looking at ways to force banks to lend to farmers to enhance productivity.

    This was to address farmers’ incapacity to get loans from banks, he said, adding that attempts to the banks had proven useless over the years and the banks preferred to lend to entrepreneurs over farmers.

    Mr Henry Crentsil, Eastern Regional Director of MOFA, said that despite fertilizer scarcity and high production costs, planting for food and employment and other initiatives indicate strong yields.

    He claimed farmers’ adoption of better seeds has skyrocketed, especially in maize, signalling an oversupply of food and seasonal price spikes.

    The Minister toured private commercial farms, including the Legacy Crop Improvement Center (LCIC), a seed production centre in Otareso, Akuapem North District, and examined its warehouse with a coding room.

    He said his tour of the Regions revealed that the nation was well supplied with food, and the facts given by the regional directorates of Agricultural reinforced the idea that Ghana has a healthy, strong agriculture sector inspired by Planting for Food and Jobs.

  • Hawa Koomson takes over Agric Ministry

    Hawa Koomson takes over Agric Ministry

    President Akufo-Addo has appointed the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson as Caretaker Minister for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

    This follows the resignation of Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto. 

    In a press statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday, January 12, Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin said the MP for Awutu Senya East will supervise the sector until a substantive replacement is made.

    According to him, the President has also accepted the resignation and was grateful for Mr. Afriyie Akoto’s service to the government and the nation.

    Hawa Koomson takes over Agric Ministry

    On Tuesday, January 10, theMinister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto tendered in his resignation letter to President Akufo-Addo.

    This came four days after Trade Minister, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, resigned from the government.

    JoyNews Presidential Affairs correspondent, Elton Brobbey, in an interview on NewsNight on Joy FM, Tuesday said the Minister had a meeting with the President after which he submitted the letter.

    According to him, the President accepted Dr Akoto’s resignation and wished him well in his endeavours.

    Sources say this is to enable the former Agric Minister concentrate on his presidential ambition.

    Dr Afriyie Akoto is one of the NPP stalwarts eyeing the flagbearership position of the party for the 2024 elections.

    Apart from him and Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong, Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, Mr. Joe Ghartey and Mr. Boagye Agyarko have all declared their intention to contest the flagbearership of the NPP.

    Meanwhile, the party is yet to come out with a date for the presidential primaries.

    Speaking on the same show, Henry Nana Boakye, National Organiser of the NPP said a date will be set for the election “in accordance with our constitution.”

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Agric sector grew during my tenure – Afriyie Akoto boasts

    Agric sector grew during my tenure – Afriyie Akoto boasts

    According to Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former minister of food and agriculture, the agricultural sector of the Ghanaian economy grew significantly while he was in office.

    He thanked the government, partners, stakeholders and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the support in growing of the sector.

    In a short statement after his resignation, he said “It’s been a great honour and privilege to serve the Ministry in the last 5 years. I express my sincere gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the confidence reposed in me to lead agric industry.

    “I thank NPP for contributing to the sector’s growth. I appreciate Ghanaian for their support.

    It’s been a great honour and privilege to serve @mofaghana1 in the last 5 years. I express my sincere gratitude to @NAkufoAddo for the confidence reposed in me to lead #agric industry. I thank #npp for contributing to the sector’s growth. I appreciate 🇬🇭 for their support. pic.twitter.com/bSr5S3bNqw

    — Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto (@afriyie_akoto) January 11, 2023

    He resigned from the government on Tuesday January 10.

    He submitted submitted his resignation letter to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after a meeting at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, January 10.

    The former lawmaker for Kwadaso is among some big wigs of the governing who are said to have been harbouring ambitions to take over from President Akufo-Addo as the party’s Presidential Candidate for the next elections in 2024.

  • Resignation of Agric Minister long-overdue – Agribusiness Chamber

    Resignation of Agric Minister long-overdue – Agribusiness Chamber

    The Chief Executive of the Agribusiness Chamber, Anthony Morrison, has welcomed the resignation of Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, stating that stakeholders have been clamouring for his exit long ago.

    He suggested that agriculture needs a required expertise to grow the sector.

    According to him, the stakeholders in the sector have been expecting the Minister to be changed long ago.

    “It is a welcoming news. He has stayed at the ministry for six years. A lot of people, including myself, have been advocating for a reshuffle to bring in someone who can engage the sector very well,” Mr. Morrison said.

    Providing some personalities that could handle the ministry, Mr. Morrison suggested Professor Eric Dankwa Yirenkyi and Dr. Wilfred Hammond as best fits to replace the outgoing Minister for Food and Agriculture.

    “For us, we think there are many experts in the sector that we can count on. We know of Professor Eric Dankwa Yirenkyi who has achieved global laurels and awards and a huge personnel in the African and global agriculture space. We know of Dr. Foster Boateng who was West Africa Director for Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Also, we know of Dr. Winfred Hammond who was a Former Deputy Agric Minister and former Country Director for FAO in Liberia and Sierra Leone. I believe that there are huge potentials in these three agric experts,” he said.

    Mr. Morrison also highlighted the need to choose someone who is involved in academia, industry and has a relationship with development partners.

    “We can go further to talk about the likes of Dr. Henry Anim-Somuah and Professor Irene Agyiri, whose efforts and activities have contributed a lot to the sector. Notwithstanding, we need to look for a personality who is in academia, industry involved and works with funding organisations. We need not forget that we must pick someone who development partners are happy to work with,” he emphasised.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Dr Afriyie Akoto likely to resign as Agriculture Minister

    Dr Afriyie Akoto likely to resign as Agriculture Minister

    According to JoyNews sources, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the minister of food and agriculture, may submit his resignation today.

    This comes four days after Trade Minister, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, resigned from the government.

    It is not clear yet the rationale behind Dr Akoto’s expected move.

    Presidential Affairs correspondent, Elton Brobbey, says the Minister is expected to meet President Akufo-Addo later this afternoon to formally communicate his intention.

    “We are told that there has been verbal communication regarding this matter so it is not a surprise to President Akufo-Addo. But what we are picking up is that at 2 pm when he meets the President, he will formally announce his resignation,” he said on Tuesday.

    Dr Afriyie Akoto has been tipped as one of the personalities eyeing the flagbrearership position of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the 2024 elections.

    Critics say this may be a tactic to allow him to concentrate on the leadership ambition of his party.