Ghana’s Finance and Economic Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor said improved agriculture was top on the agenda of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to cut down food imports.
Presenting the budget, Dr. Duffuor announced that government will equip poultry farmers to increase their production capacity to meet the growing demand for poultry product and also create employment opportunities for the jobless youth.
He said government has imposed tax on rice importation that was waived in 2007 by then former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration to prevent influx of all manner of rice into the country. Already, the administration of President John Etta Mills has embarked on vigorous mechanized farming to ensure food security in the country.
Duffuor also made mention government’s intention to improve road sector by asphalting some major roads in the country to facilitate movement of goods and services.
Dr.Duffuor who was governor the Ghana of Bank during former President Jerry John Rawlings regime took a swipe at the previous administration for leaving huge debt which resulted from award of contract without recourse to the procurement law, adding that such debt was unprecedented in the economic history of the country.
While the minority group in parliament described the budget as slow to economic growth, the majority praised the Finance minister for presenting a fiscal policy that will stimulate economic growth.
Parliament is expected to debate on the budget on Thursday.
Source African Press Agency
