Former Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has stressed the need for Ghana to prioritise agriculture at the highest level of governance through the implementation of a well-defined vision and strategy.
Delivering a public lecture on the theme: “The future of the economy of Ghana,” Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who is aspiring to be flagbearer for the governing New Patriotic Party said when he becomes President, he will implement the much-needed strategies that will turn Ghana’s economic fortunes.
“I will set up an Agricultural Management Team chaired by the President to drive agricultural development. This will be in addition to the Economic management team headed by the Vice President.”
“The AMT shall comprise 7 agriculture-related Ministries namely the ministries of Food and Agriculture, Finance, Trade and Industry, Lands and Natural Resources, Transport, Local Government and Rural Development, and Environment Science and Innovation,” he added.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie 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.
In November 2022, in the midst of economic challenges and rising food prices, Dr Afriyie Akoto implemented the controversial Planting for Food and Jobs policy at the premises of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to sell cheaper foods to Ghanaians.