We Don�t Want An Agric Minister In Suit...

An Economics Lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University, has advised the Minister-designate for Agriculture, Dr. Afriyie Akoto not to be an arm chair Agric minister.

According to Dr. Thomas Kusi Boafo, a critical sector like agric needs a minister who will be with the farmers at the grassroots not someone who speaks impeccable English.

“I want my Agric Minister to be with the farmers; speaking English will not produce food for the citizenry” he stated on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday named Dr. Afriyie, the former Member of Parliament for Kwadaso as Minister for Agriculture.

The 57-year-old is a farmer himself with plantations at Manso Nkwanta in Ashanti. He is the CEO of Plantation Resources Company Limited and holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Cambridge University, UK.

Based on his background, Mr. Kusi Boafo believes his choice as the Agric Minister is very timely to salvage the collapsed sector.

As an immediate measure, he urged the Minister-designate if passed by Parliament to hit the ground running and provide the necessary Agric input for the farmers.

“Food will be scarce this year so as a matter of urgency, the Minister must work with the farmers especially in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions, provide them with tractors to prevent any food shortage” he added.
Dr. Kusi Boafo expressed confidence in Dr. Afriyie to deliver positively in the Agric sector.