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Owusu Afriyie Akoto (center), Minister of Agriculture, interacting with some participants at the opening session of the WFP Country Directors' Meeting, held in Accra. Abdou Dieng (2nd from left), WFP Regional Director, is at their side. Image: EBOW HANSON
Ghana does not need genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to ensure food sufficiency and safety, as shown by the knowledge accumulated during the discovery of improved seeds, which could stimulate food production, said the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Owusu Afriyie Akoto.
Mr. Akoto said this while answering questions on the issue of GMOs regarding improved seeds, with the aim of defending the Planting for Food and Employment initiative by a team of Food Program Managers. (WFP) in Accra.
The team consisted of WFP country directors from 19 African countries and the Rome program headquarters.
WFP senior officials are in the country for its bi-annual meeting, which normally brings WFP country directors from West and Central Africa together to share their experiences and best practices.
The country directors, who are in the country for a four-day meeting, wanted to know more about Ghana's agricultural sector, especially the Plant for Food and Employment initiative, and how Ghana is doing. could share best practices with other African countries.
Scientific Community
Akoto said Ghana's scientific community and universities have been working hard on improved cereal varieties, which had been left on the shelves because previous governments had not used them to improve agriculture in the country. .
Describing GMOs as a controversial topic, he told WFP country directors that a part of Ghanaian society was against it "and, in fact, we do not need it", explaining that the country had seeds improved.
He said that the scientific community has studied and registered more than 58 varieties of grain that can give 10 times more than ordinary grains.
For example, he said, one acre of traditional grain produces four bags, while the same land area of improved seeds could produce up to 40 bags.
Improved seeds
Dr. Akoto said that currently, only 11% of Ghana's farmers subscribe to improved seeds and fertilizers, adding that even with that, the country could boast of a food and feed insecurity. currently exported grain to neighboring countries.
For example, he added, more than 100,000 tons of seven different food crops were exported to neighboring countries last year.
With the abundance of food and his commitment to ensuring food security, the minister said, the government was doing everything possible to meet the challenges of food storage facilities.
"We have begun to put in place adequate storage infrastructure in the country to improve grain marketing and trade in commodities markets. We want to increase storage capacity from 34,000 tonnes in 2017 to 250,000 tonnes over the next five years, "he said.
Impact of the plantation for food and employment
Earlier, at the opening of the four-day meeting, Mr. Akoto had introduced participants to the government's flagship program on agriculture, planting for food and employment, which according to he had sparked an interest in youth agriculture and had resulted in an abundance of food. employment opportunities in the country.
He said that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was planning to add more programs to the Planting for Food and Jobs program.
New additions include: Plantation for Export and Rural Development, Livestock for Food and Employment, Mechanization Centers for Modernization and Efficiency and Cultivation of Vegetables and Flowers .
Dr. Akoto said that with Planting to create jobs and create jobs, not a single grain was imported into the country in 2018 and promised that Ghana would consolidate the gains made this year and the following years.
He was pleased that WFP's activities in the country were in line with the National Trade Directorate, adding that its integrated program of food security and nutrition complemented these flagship programs and adequately supported the development phase and the vision of the country. whole of Ghana.
Knowledge sharing
Abdou Dieng, WFP Regional Director, welcomed the guests. This meeting also enabled country managers to exchange knowledge and strengthen dialogue and collaboration between headquarters, regional offices and WFP country offices.
Negative security dynamics
He explained that WFP's West and Central Africa region was characterized by drought, poverty and population growth, while the intensification of conflicts and the presence of non-State armed groups hampered access by actors. humanitarian actors and development actors.
He added that despite all these challenges, thanks to the sustained support of its partners and a dedicated workforce committed to saving and transforming lives, the region has been able to help more than 10 million people. in 2018 through emergency and development programs.
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