Agriculture is bedrock of 24-hour economy – Agric Minister, Eric Opoku
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s-flagship programme, 24-Hour Economy programme will hinge on agriculture.
To this end, the Minister said the government will prioritise agriculture through the growing of raw materials for industries to process around the clock.
Speaking to Daakyehene Ofosu Agyemang, Morning show host on New York-based Adinkra Radio, honourable Eric Opoku stressed that agriculture production must be tripled to meet the demand of the 24-hour economy programme.
“Raw materials that industry used to process within the 8-hours working shift must be tripled to make the 24-hour economy programme a reality. It means that agriculture production must also be tripled before it can meet the demands of the 24-hour economy programme. This is the NDC government’s flagship programme and we remain committed to making it successful,” honourable Eric Opoku said.
About 24-hour economy
One of President John Mahama’s most high-profile pledges is his bid to build a “24-hour economy” in order to boost employment and unlock the potential of industry.
The president said the initiative is a “a deliberate policy to encourage and support businesses and public organisations to operate 24/7 in three shifts of eight hours to boost production, promote productivity and generate well-paying jobs… aimed at transforming Ghana into an import substitution and export-led economy.”
The idea is that with increased activity more jobs can be created, in particular in non-traditional hours.
As well as focusing on traditionally strong sectors like agriculture and agribusiness, the 24-hour economy will be unleashed at public institutions with a large customer base, including ports and harbours, customs, the passport office and the vehicle licensing agency, the government says.