DR OWUSU AFRIYIE AKOTO ADDRESSES THE 2023 AFRICAN INVESTORS COUNCIL FORUM IN TURKEY
By EMMANUEL ADU GYAMFI
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Former Minister for Food and Agricultural in Ghana, has addressed the African Investors Council Forum held in Turkey, on the theme, "Agricultural development and investment opportunities in Africa ; Ghana as a case study".
The theme seeks to promote Investment in African Agriculture as a means to promote economic development on the continent.
He expressed gratitude to the Management and Leadership of the African Investment Council & Forum, as well as each and everyone at the event , for focusing on the investment needs for the development of Africa.
The Former Minister challenged all African governments, the private sector and stakeholders in the economic development of Africa, to explore a new strategy to unlock the wealth of the continent for the direct benefit of the people of the continent, in a meaningful and sustainable way.
Dr Owusu Afriyie said it is time we stop perceiving Africa as a "potential" investment destination but as an "actual" investment choice for Regional Trade and Foreign Direct Investments.
"It is time to create more mutually beneficial opportunities for trade, investment and collaboration with the African continent" he stated.
The Flag bearer Hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said to achieve this would require collaboration and political will of international actors to provide a level playing field in global trade, making it more fair and mutually rewarding.
"Such collaboration is what we are discussing today in Turkey, spearheaded by the African Investors Council" he noted.
Dr Owusu Afriyie added that It is imperative for each African State to emphasise the rapid growth of the Agricultural sector which relies more on internally generated resources, and supplemented by foreign investment
Mr. Chairman, he indicated, Ghana’s dream of using agriculture as the driver for economic development can be traced as far back as the 1920s when the then governor, Sir Gordon Guggisberg made pronouncements backed by initial investments to make agriculture work.
He said successive governments since have made various attempts towards agricultural development, yet there has been inadequate commitment to full agricultural transformation that yields the needed significant results to lift up the country from its economic woes.
"Mr. Chairman, looking back at the last six years of my stewardship of Ghana’s Ministry for Food and Agriculture from January 2017 to January 2023, I will now present my efforts in laying the foundations for Ghana’s economic transformation through Agriculture" the Former Minister reiterated.
My Ministry, he noted, made massive investment in women in Agriculture, created a legal environment and focus institutions for agriculture to strive, mechanised agriculture and implemented the Planting For Food and Jobs (PFJ), a flagship program.
Dr Owusu Afriyie emphasized that there were giant investment in horticulture development, cocoa improvement and other cash crops namely coffee, cashew, rubber and palm oil, enhanced Tree crop diversification and food security during my tenure.
"I am confident that if the foundations laid are built upon, they will lead to a thriving sustainable agriculture to bring about prosperity for all" he expressed optimisms.
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