Food and Agriculture Minister, Eric Opoku, has sworn into office a new governing board for the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in Accra.

The 9-member board is chaired by a former Chief Executive of the company, Dr. Eric Osei-Owusu and is expected to oversee the activities of the company.

The board has Ingr. Sir Joseph Charles Osei, Madam Janet Chigabatia-Adama, Mr. Collins Mahama and Mr. Stephen Baffoe as members.

Other members of the board are the company’s Chief Executive Officer, George Abradu-Otoo; Daniel Atta-Kusi; Michael Ologo and Hajia Benedicta Fati Skido-Achulo.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister announced government has for the first time made a budgetary allocation to stock the national food reserve held by the National Food Buffer Stock Company.

He said the maintenance of strategic stock by NAFCO is critical in mitigating the impact of disasters and emergencies.

“We need Buffer Stock in operation to step out to buy and to store in order not to discourage farmers and consumers, and President Mahama is committed to this”.

Board Chairman, Dr. Eric Osei-Owusu pledged the commitment of the Board to ensure the company works in alignment with government’s programmes and policies within the food security frame.

“It is obvious that Buffer Stock has a crucial role to play in achieving the beautiful targets set in the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), which focuses on modernising agriculture and promoting agri-business to reduce food inflation, ensure food security, boost exports and create sustainable jobs”.

He said the company is poised to assert its role as the state food security reserve and national aggregator to effectively deal with post-harvest losses, reduction in food inflation and employment creation for our teaming youth.

“This is how we intend to contribute towards the Re-Set Agenda”.