Member of Parliament for the Korle Klottey Constituency, Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, is championing a policy aimed at safeguarding the country’s fertile lands in peri-urban areas from encroachment by real estate developers.
She emphasized that the nation’s agricultural lands were rapidly diminishing due to unchecked land use practices, posing a looming threat of food scarcity unless immediate measures are implemented to address the situation.
Addressing attendees at the commencement of the Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp (AG-STUD) Africa 2024, Dr. Agyemang-Rawlings stressed the critical importance of food for societal sustenance and called upon the government to prioritize the protection of arable lands to bolster food production efforts.
“You cannot have a house without food,” she stated, and said food production must not give way to the construction of real estate houses.
The five-day programme, the seventh to be held by Agrihouse Foundation, is on the theme “Accelerating our efforts in enabling and advancing career opportunities for the agri-youth: Role of the public, private and development partners”.
The event is attended by 350 agricultural students from various tertiary institutions and selected students from some Senior High Schools across the country.
Dr. Zanetor encouraged the students to consider agriculture as it offers numerous opportunities within the agricultural value chain, including crop production, processing, storage, haulage, irrigation, and agricultural finance.
James Boateng, the Managing Director of Kwafre Farms and the 2018 Best Farmer, informed participants that agriculture is as profitable as any other business.
Mr. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, emphasized in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Solomon Ansah, the Director of Crops, that agriculture plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, contributing approximately 21 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.
He highlighted that the youth are the future of the country’s agriculture, and the government will continue to support their involvement in agriculture.
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Chief Executive Officer of Agrihouse Foundation, explained that the annual program, introduced seven years ago, aims to expose agricultural students to various career opportunities in the agricultural sector and provide a platform for successful individuals in agriculture to inspire and mentor students.
She outlined the program’s activities, including agri-ted talk mentorship, soft skills development sessions, ag-voyage and coach meet-up sessions, agri-inspire, mindset shaping, innovative role play, and sessions on credibility and accountability. The highlight will be the Beginner Agribusiness Competition and Input Dealer Deal Pitch.