John Dramani Mahama
John Dramani Mahama, Former President and Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has pledged to establish Farmer Service Centres across Ghana if elected in the upcoming December 7 elections.
Addressing a durbar of Chiefs and residents in Bawku, Mr Mahama outlined his plan to set up these centers as a crucial component of the NDC’s manifesto, which will be launched later this month. The proposed Farmer Service Centres will offer fertilizers, seeds, and other agricultural inputs on credit, with repayment due after harvest and sale of produce.
“We aim to start with 50 Farmer Service Centres strategically located to support farmers at the beginning of each farming season,” Mr Mahama said. “These centers will serve as one-stop shops designed to increase agricultural production and reduce our dependence on imports.”
Mr Mahama criticized Ghana’s current economic reliance on imported goods, including rice, tomatoes, fish, and vegetable oil, which cost the country approximately three billion dollars annually. He emphasized that improving local production is essential for reducing this dependency and boosting the economy.
“The only way to enhance our people’s livelihoods is by increasing our self-production capacity, ensuring we have enough food for ourselves and potential exports to earn foreign currency,” he said.
Reflecting on his previous tenure, Mr Mahama recalled initiating the Tamde Irrigation project, which aimed to develop 3,000 hectares of irrigated land. He criticized the current administration for the slow progress on the project, underscoring its potential to enable year-round farming and reduce the need for young people to seek employment in other regions.
“We need a change, and that change will come through the December 7 elections,” Mr Mahama urged the constituents.
His four-day campaign tour of the Upper East and parts of the North East Regions also featured key NDC figures, including Professor Joshua Alabi, Chairman of the campaign team, Mr Mahama Ayariga, MP for the area, and Mr Julius Debrah, former Chief of Staff. They were joined by other party officials and parliamentary candidates from the Kusaug area.
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