Ghana Marks World Food Day

Today is World Food Day. This year's theme which is “Feeding the world, caring for the earth” has been chosen to raise the profile of family farming and small holder farmers. 

It focuses on the world's attention on the significant role of family farming in eradicating hunger and poverty, as well as managing natural resources and protecting the environment. 

The UN General Assembly has designated 2014, "International Year of Family Farming." 

This is a strong signal that the international community recognises the important contribution of family farmers to world food security. 

Meanwhile, as Ghana joins the International community to observe World Food Day, Agronomist and Agricultural Development Specialist, Dr Abu Sakara Foster, has called for the transformation of Agriculture through financing and value addition. 

He told Radio Ghana in an interview that so much lip service has been paid to the transformation of the sector and the need for action is now. 

He commended the Ghanaian farmers for sacrificing to feed the nation and encourage them of better days ahead. 

In a related development, a feed manufacturer and Poultry farmer, Lewis Pendragon, has expressed worry that in spite of the appreciation of the cedi, suppliers are still maintaining old prices. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, he said this state of affairs is a disincentive to the manufacturers and to an extent a burden on the consuming public. 

Mr Pendragon appealed to government to institute a body to regulate the pricing in the sector to ensure control. 

This he said will whip all actors in line and prevent cheating. 

As the World observes World Food Day, the Executive Director of Ghana Cassava Centre of Excellence, William Agyei Manu, has been sharing some thoughts on food security in Ghana. 

He said the nation has come a long way, but more needs to be done to address the myriad of challenges confronting the agriculture sector. 

According to Mr Manu, there is a gap between the actors in the sector that ought to be bridged. 

He welcomed the public private sector initiative, saying it will address food safety and security issues in the country. 

Mr Manu acknowledged that government alone cannot satisfy all sectors hence the need for partnership. 

The National Co-ordinator of the National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council, Ageke Jacob Tetteh, has called on government to dissolve the National Premix Committee to save the fishers from lack of access to premix fuel. 

According to him, the committee has overstayed its mandate and is doing little to ensure the supply of premix fuel to the fishermen on the Volta Lake and its environs. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana on World Food Day, Mr Ageke said the fishers appreciate the efforts of the President to subsidise the premix for the fisherfolks but regretted the manner in which distribution is diverted. 

GBC