Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa addressing participants in Tamale
THE EIGHT national food and agriculture (FAGRO) show has been launched in Tamale, the Northern regional capital.
The exhibition which is expected to last for four days is on the theme: ‘creating jobs in agriculture’.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, the General Manager of FAGRO, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, said the exhibition would help the participants to network to improve the sector.
She, therefore, entreated potential investors to take advantage of the show.
The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, commended the FAGRO secretariat for choosing Tamale for the exhibition.
He stated that his outfit was working to make the agric sector a national success story.
Dr Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, whose speech was read on his behalf by Dr Sagre Bambangi, explained that agriculture needs all manner of professionals, and not just the cutlass and hoe bearing persons who can hardly embrace modern best farming practices.
From veterinary officers, research fellows, extension personnel and others, the sector remains potentially a major employer, but most people still continue to struggle in search of non-existent white colour jobs, which in the end do not even pay well.
“I agree certain things were not done right to make the sector as attractive as to bait enough qualified professional to turn its fortunes around but a lot is being done today,” he added.
According to him, President Akufo-Addo has made it clear that Ghana would not depend on aid but boost home-grown industries and businesses, which can rub shoulders with others elsewhere in the world.
Dr Sagre Bambangi disclosed that massive investment in agriculture to strengthen existing systems in the value chain would go a long way to achieve the vision of the president.
From Eric Kombat, Tamale