NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, NDC.
VOLTA REGIONAL SECRETARIAT.
07/12/2018
Press Release
VOLTA NDC CONGRATULATES FARMERS, FISHERS ON THE OCCASION OF 2018 FARMERS DAY CELEBRATIONS.
The Volta Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress NDC, extends its Felicitations to all Farmers and Fishers in Volta Region in particular and Ghana at large, on the occasion of the 34th Farmers Day Celebrations.
We congratulate all the Prize Winners for their Meritonous performances, as Farmers and Fishers reflect on another 12 months of rigourous labour in the fields with mixed results.
The NDC sends its condolences to the bereaved family of Mr Isssah Nayawu, a 46 year old best farmer awardee for 2018 who passed on about four days ago.
The deceased was one of the award winners from the volta region billed to receive national accolate at the National Farmers Day Celebration in Tamale. May his soul rest in peace.
This year’s theme, “Agriculture – Moving Ghana Beyond Aid” is not striking as that notion has streaked through every Agricultural Policy in the Country with various levels of success.
It is not surprising that, the sector Minister, Hon.Owusu Afriyie Akoto recently told parliament that, there was no cash for this year’s celebrations. According to the Minister, the GHC 2 million allocated for the celebration was worthly inadequate and that, no support was coming from the corporate world. Because Corporate Ghana has been in dilema since the NPP assumed the reigns of government two years ago.
The NDC believes that, agricultural production when effectively linked to industrial development would raise incomes of farmers at all levels to take Ghana out of the current poverty.
The institutionalization of the Farmers Day Celebration was born out of our social democracy ideologies and beliefs that’s why past NDC governments expanded access roads and electricity to most parts of this country, constructed CHIPS compounds, built schools and extended potable water to rural communities accros the country to make life better for our rural folks particularly farmers and fishers.
We are grateful to President Jerry John Rawlings, and H. E. John Dramani Mahama for the recognition given to Ghanaian farmers and fishers, and the various interventions made in the agric sector during their turnure.
The Volta Region and the rest of Ghana is yet to be impacted by the NPP Government’s grandiose Policies to give hope to Farmers and Fishers:
1. Many of our Feeder Roads have not seen reshaping in the region for the past two years of the NPP Government. Road construction is key when it comes to Agri business particularly in reducing post harvest loses.
2. The NPP government has failed to add to the country’s energy generation capacity. There can’t be agricultural industrialisation and value addition without sustainable energy.
3. Farmers and Fishers are suffering from the fuel price hikes in the country.
4. Banks that assist our Gallant Farmers to expand their farms to feed the Country have folded up with many Sons and Daughters of the Ghanaian Farmers loosing their jobs.
5. Ghana’s debt has ballooned from GHC 122 billion to over GHC 170 billion amidst the failed promises of the NPP government.
At the Atlantic Coast of the Region, fish landings are dropping.
The same situation is reported by Inland Fishers.
Farmers in the Savannah Zones of the country are hardly meeting economic production levels. Input including Finance, Tools, Technical Expertise and assured markets are slowly knocking Farmers out. Cash Crop Farmers in the Forest Zones are getting despondent and going into other areas.
Special Applause to all the hard working Ghanaian women who finds themselves at the various levels of the Agri and fisheries production and supply chain.
Congratulations, Ayekoo to all Farmers and Fishers
Long Live the Ghanaian Farmer.
Long Live Ghana
Long Live the NDC,
Eye Zu, Eye Za.
Thank you.
Signed
James Gunu
( Regional Secretary)