The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has called on unemployed youth to embrace farming, describing the sector as a highly lucrative, economically promising venture.

Speaking at the dedication of the Apostle Clement Brakatu Temple of the Apostles’ Continuation Church International in Sunyani, Mr Opoku emphasised that agriculture remains one of the most profitable businesses in Ghana. 

He rejected the idea that farming is a last resort for the poor, pointing out that many influential Ghanaians are deeply involved in large-scale cultivation.

He made a striking claim: “The biggest farmer in the country today is President John Dramani Mahama. No farmer in Ghana cultivates more onions, maize and rice than he does.”

Mr Opoku also raised the country’s heavy dependence on imports, revealing that Ghana spends more than US$400 million annually on tomato imports from neighbouring Burkina Faso. 

He argued that if the country reduced or eliminated these imports, the freed-up funds could be channelled into factories and used to generate employment for the youth.

The minister also highlighted the Feed Ghana Programme, a government initiative that encourages households, schools and institutions to grow their own crops. 

According to Mr Opoku, senior high schools are being urged to cultivate food to support the national school-feeding scheme.

Source: Happy Ghana News
Image Credit: Access Agric