The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto has assured the National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) that he is working towards the payment of seeds supplied to government in 2021 to facilitate the Planting for Food and Jobs ( PFJ) initiative.
His comments come after a petition was issued by NASTAG to the Chairman of the National Seed Council, Dr Josiah Wobil to intervene and make sure they are paid.
In a bid to address the issue, a delegation from NASTAG led by the Chairman of the National Seed Council paid a courtesy call on the Minister.
At the meeting, Dr Josiah Wobil explained that the non payment of supplies on the part of government has disturbed the seed producing companies commercial transactions since they need to recover the funds to continue providing seeds to farmers.
Dr Wobil also commended the Minister for his enormous contribution to the national seed industry;
” I personally know that the Minister has been doing a lot of work in the background to make sure NASTAG actually grows. It was the Minister who in the advent of the PFJ programme made it possible for a resurgence in the seed industry in Ghana”.
He added that the introduction of PFJ has rekindled the national seed council and established the growth of the seed industry “before the advent of the PFJ it was very difficult to see if Ghana will ever have a buoyant national seed industry but the PFJ has changed everything”.
The Minister on his part explained the various steps taken by government to ensure that the industry is properly established. He also mentioned the financial problems facing the country which he said is affecting almost every sector of the economy and has unfortunately affected the ability to pay for this particular service.
However, he indicated that he is working towards the payment of supplies. Dr Akoto said he will discuss with the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta to make him understand that this is a critical issue that needs to be addressed to enhance food security and improve the livelihood of farmers.
It will be recalled that the Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto inaugrated a nine (9) Member governing Council of National Seed Council chaired by Dr Josiah Wobil on March 9 2022 at the premises of the Ministry of Food And Agriculture, Accra.
The board was mandated to ensure the continuous growth of the seed industry.
