Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says government through the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) will invest ¢50 million in the agricultural sector in 2023.
He said this is part of a broader plan to bounce the Ghanaian economy back and set it back to its pre-COVID-19 levels.
“Mr Speaker, Government through the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) has established a GH¢500 million special credit programme: the DBG Emergency Economic Programme (DEEP) to support businesses in the agribusiness value chain over the next five years.
"The priority sectors are poultry, rice and cereals, pharmaceutical manufacturing, tourism, textiles and garments for investments to help build economic resilience,” he said.
He disclosed this when he addressed Parliament on Thursday, November 24, 2022, during his presentation of the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
According to the 2020 Population and Housing Census, more than three million Ghanaians of 15 years and above are involved in the agricultural sector, cultivating staple crops, tree crops and forest trees or engaged in aquaculture and traditional fishing.
The contribution of the agricultural sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased from an average of 2.8 per cent over the four-year period ending 2016 to a four-year average of 5.8 per cent in 2020.
Last year, the sector contributed 8.4 per cent to the value of goods and services produced within the country.
This the Minister explained that the sector is the backbone of the Ghanaian economy hence, it is only prudent government channel enough resources towards it.
He said the government over the years has chalked so many successes within the sector notably through the introduction of flagship programmes such as the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) and the Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ) and will continue to roll out more interventions in the sector to boost food production and create jobs for the youth who want to venture into agriculture.
He called on farmers to take advantage of the intervention to make decent incomes from farming and improve their standard of living.
Latest Stories
-
USAID announces $103 million commitment to protect oceans at the 2024 Athens Conference
15 mins -
On-field results have not reflected investment in Hearts of Oak – Vincent Sowah-Odotei
26 mins -
We should be able to evacuate all crude oil from broken-down vessel by close of day – NPA
27 mins -
Ghana’s external debt rework: Deal or no deal?
29 mins -
Government issues RFP for Saglemi Housing units
33 mins -
U.S. goverment invests in public servants working in Ghana’s public safety sector
51 mins -
Sam Jonah deems the absence of public purse accountability ‘pathetic’
56 mins -
Ghana is completely under-lawyered – Prof. Atuguba
1 hour -
Split vessel: NPA allays fears over discharging of crude oil content
1 hour -
Stonebwoy performs ‘Activate’ with Davido at his sold-out show at Madison Square Garden
1 hour -
Saint Kitts and Nevis reiterates constant position in favour of Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara, territorial integrity
1 hour -
Ghanaian lawyers have strayed from Nkrumah’s vision for law in Ghana – Prof Atuguba
1 hour -
Accra set to hand over UNESCO World Book Capital title to Strasbourg
2 hours -
Rihanna: ‘I refused to buy maternity clothes’
2 hours -
Contempt case: Bench warrant issued for arrest of CID boss, Legal & Prosecutions D-G rescinded
2 hours