Mahama Promises to Launch 'Feed Ghana Programme' Under Next NDC Administration

Former President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans for a bold initiative, the “Feed Ghana Programme,” which he promises to implement if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is voted into power in the upcoming 2024 elections. The programme is designed to increase food production, ensure food security, and provide raw materials for local industries, creating a comprehensive framework for agricultural and economic growth. According to Mahama, the Feed Ghana Programme will include several key components aimed at transforming the agriculture sector and addressing the country’s food and economic challenges.

One of the central features of the Feed Ghana Programme is the establishment of Farmer Service Centres in every district across the country. These centres will serve as hubs for providing farmers with modern agricultural equipment, technologies, and inputs to enhance productivity. Additionally, Mahama’s government plans to create Farm Banks within agricultural zones, which will make it easier for farmers to access land and irrigation facilities. These measures are intended to stimulate agricultural growth and encourage young people to pursue farming as a viable and attractive career.

The former president emphasized that his government will implement strategic policies and make significant investments to modernize agriculture in Ghana. He explained that by modernizing the agricultural sector, the NDC government would create jobs, improve food security, and strengthen the local economy. The vision outlined in the NDC’s 2024 manifesto, titled “Resetting Ghana: Jobs, Accountability, and Prosperity,” underscores the need to address the country’s economic challenges, especially in light of the expected difficulties in the coming years.

In his address, Mahama also spoke about the importance of agro-industrial development. He promised to establish agro-industrial zones in all regions of Ghana, each tailored to the specific agricultural strengths of the area. These zones will include mini-processing plants for various commodities such as cassava, tomatoes, fruits, and other crops, which will add value to raw agricultural produce and create jobs in the processing sector. The aim is not only to improve food production but also to stimulate industrial growth in rural areas.

Furthermore, Mahama highlighted the potential for revitalizing Ghana’s textile and cotton industries, both of which he believes could play a key role in the country’s industrial development. He proposed the establishment of at least 20 medium-scale animal feed processing plants to support the growing livestock sector and to breathe new life into the struggling poultry industry.

Another part of Mahama’s agricultural vision includes the establishment of cocoa processing factories in the country’s major cocoa-producing regions. These regions include Western, Western North, Eastern, Central, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Volta, and Oti. The goal is to add value to Ghana’s cocoa production, create jobs, and boost exports. In addition to cocoa, Mahama also proposed the creation of cashew processing factories in the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions, further enhancing the country’s agricultural value chain.

To diversify the agricultural economy, Mahama suggested promoting the brewing of local beers by establishing factories in the Upper East, Upper West, and other regions. This initiative is aimed at supporting local industries and creating additional employment opportunities. Mahama also promised to revitalize several state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which have faced challenges in recent years. Among the factories earmarked for revival are the Zuarungu Meat Factory, Pwalugu Tomato Factory, Wulugu Livestock Station, and Komenda Sugar Factory.

Mahama urged Ghanaians to support the NDC in the upcoming elections, stressing that the party’s economic management plans would reset the country’s economy and set it on a path to recovery. He emphasized that the agricultural sector would be central to this recovery, providing the foundation for job creation and sustainable economic growth. Mahama called on the electorate to vote for the NDC in both the presidential and parliamentary elections, promising that under his leadership, Ghana would see a new era of agricultural transformation, job creation, and industrial growth.

Mahama’s Feed Ghana Programme reflects his commitment to tackling the country’s economic challenges by focusing on agriculture and industrialization. Through a combination of modernizing farming practices, creating agro-industrial zones, and revitalizing key industries, Mahama aims to ensure food security, create jobs, and transform Ghana into a self-sufficient, prosperous nation. As the 2024 elections approach, Mahama’s vision offers a roadmap for agricultural and economic development that he believes will help Ghana recover and thrive in the coming years.