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An Economist at New York University, Professor Yaw Nyarko says efforts are being made to reach out to more farmers in Ghana, through the use of technology.

Prof. Nyarko who is the founder of New York University (NYU) Research Center for Technology and Economic Development (CTED) in Kumawu, Ashanti Region, said his ambition is to support Ghanaian farmers as well as attract more youth into the agriculture space through the introduction and use of smart technologies.

Currently, CTED is working with about 300 smallholder farmers nationwide.

Professor Nyarko was speaking to journalists following President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s visit to CTED last Friday, October 11, 2019.

The purpose of President Akufo-Addo’s visit was to afford him the opportunity to learn about Commodity Exchange Research.

Accompanied by the Education Minister, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Deputy Trade and Industry Minister, Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, Roads and Highway Minister, Amoako-Atta, National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah, Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah the President was visibly elated as Prof. Nyarko, walked him through the activities of the Center and Commodity Exchange Research.

Initially, the Food and Agriculture Minister was outside the hall where the President was being taught, but as President  Akufo-Addo became much more interested in the activities of the Center, he asked for his Agric Minister to join him.

Dr. Afriyie-Akoto upon entering the hall, immediately identified with the NYU Research Center and told the President that the project of CTED forms part of some of the highly innovative projects the Ghanaian Government through the Food and Agriculture Ministry, was exploring to promote and sustain food production and security.

“…Really nice. The project is so important,” the excited Ghanaian President, told Prof. Nyarko as he was being walked through the operations of the Center and Commodity Exchange Research.

Curiously, President Akufo-Addo asked: “Are you creating these (drone technologies) things?”