PEF to partner Agriculture Ministry to implement ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ initiative

The Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) has declared its readiness to partner the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in the implementation of its flagship programme christened, ‘Planting for Food and Jobs.’

The PEF says it is, particularly, interested in collaborating with the ministry in the area of adding value to agricultural products.

The executive of the PEF pledged the commitment of the foundation when its members interacted with the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and his colleague Minister of Business Development, Mr Mohammed Awal, at a meeting in Accra last Thursday.

The meeting was intended for the members of PEF to seek more clarity on the government's agriculture policy and  explore investment opportunities.

The PEF was particularly delighted at the efforts by the government and the MOFA directed at increasing production of local crops for both domestic and industrial consumption.

The meeting further discussed the strengthening of regional ties in terms of commodity exchange in order to enhance trading in the West African sub-region.

Effective partnership

Dr Akoto reiterated the commitment of the government to partner the private sector in the development of the economy.

He said the “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme would be private-sector driven, asserting that the government would comprehensively engage corporate bodies whose activities were directly linked to agriculture.

For his part, Mr Awal said the government had set aside a $20 million package in the budget to support the growth and development of the private sector.