MINISTER WOOS INVESTORS

STORY: FROM KOFI SARPONG KUMANKUMAH, SUNYANI, B/A

Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, has called on investors, particularly those in agriculture, to invest in the region because of the benefits they will stand to gain and sector’s economic potential in the region.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo explained that the region falls within the transitional Zion where all types of crops could be cultivated and therefore called on inventors in agriculture to capitalise on the opportunities the region offers.

He was speaking at the third value chain practitioners’ forum held in the Brong Ahafo regional capital, Sunyani.

The two-day forum for value chain practitioners was organised by the Northern Rural Growth Programme of the ministry of food and agriculture

The programme which started in 2009 is aimed at improving communication among actors of value chain, reduce price volatility and guarantee market destination for agricultural produce.

It also offered a unique opportunity for farmers from the north of Ghana and poultry farmers to strike a deal to integrate and strengthen the maize, soya and poultry value chains in a win-win relationship.

In a speech read on behalf of the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Kwesi Ahwoi, the ministry indicated that it would continue to support initiatives that would promote and transform agriculture.

“The ministry is also going to take into consideration recommendations by the value-chain practitioners,” the minister assured.

According to Mr. Ahwoi, the government of Ghana acknowledges the pioneering role of GIZ through its market oriented agriculture programme (MOAP) to promote agricultural value-chain development in Ghana, especially for chili, mango, citrus and guinea fowl production.

Mr. Ahwoi also revealed that value-chain practitioners would help to compete effectively, be integrated in the global market place, and thereby transform agriculture into a viable business opportunity.

He disclosed that his outfit would train over 800 officers in the value-chain concept