President John Mahama has dismissed claims by the opposition New Patriotic Party that the Agriculture sector in Ghana is in a decline.

According to him, such perception, often created in the media, is false and a misrepresentation of the facts of the situation.

Speaking at the 32nd Farmers Day celebration in the Brong Ahafo region, Mr. Mahama said the Agriculture sector’s contribution to Ghana’s GDP appears to be in a fall because other sectors of the economy are matching up.

“The Agriculture sector is not in decline, contrary to the impression we see in the media these days. The impression created in the media is false. Let me state for a fact that the agriculture sector is not in decline. A sector that is growing at 2.5 percent cannot be said to be in decline. The statistics can be crosschecked at statistical service. The fact that agric’s contribution to the GDP is not what it used to be in the past, does not mean that it is declining, it simply means that other sectors of the economy are also doing well; which is good for the economy and normal for every developing and developed country,” the President said.

Meanwhile, farmers in the Eastern region selected for recognition as part of this year’s National Farmers Day celebration, were awarded with 'Joy Daddy' bitters, cutlasses, spraying machines among other items.

The ‘Joy Daddy’ bitters, ‘Joy twede3 bitters’ and Joy lime (all alcoholic drinks) were presented to the best farmers in various categories at the ceremony held at Krobo-Odumase in the Eastern region.

This is the second time organizers in the region are awarding farmers with alcohol. In 2014 there was a massive backlash after organizers in the region awarded farmers with the alcoholic drinks and toilet rolls.

According to the organizers, Joy Industries is a major sponsor therefore likewise other products from other sponsors the alcoholic beverage must be added to the package.

This year marks the 32nd farmer’s day celebration which is being held under the theme ‘Agriculture: A Business Response to Economic Growth’.


starrfmonline.com