Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has strongly defended poultry farming as a viable job opportunity.
Addressing artisans and supporters of the NDC in Suhum Tuesday as part of her two-day campaign tour to the Eastern Region, she reiterated NDC’s commitment to supporting the poultry sector, which she believes can create employment opportunities for the youth.
Ghana consumes approximately 300,000 metric tonnes of imported poultry meat annually. However, only 5% of this is produced locally with 95% supplemented by imports from the Netherlands, Brazil, USA, and other markets at a value of over US$400m.
The Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers (GNAP), has bemoaned little investment in the poultry value chain by government and private sector players, from hatcheries, feed mills, and processing facilities to cold chain facilities.
The NDC promises to revamp the sector through technical and financial support for individuals interested in poultry. However, the New Patriotic Party is mocking this policy and has created political campaign advertisements against it.
Responding to the NPP’s criticism, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang quizzed “is poultry farming not a job? It is a big job. The next NDC government will build the capacity of those interested so that they do it well to avoid losses. We will provide hencoops and the birds. So while we are providing support to seamstresses and hairdressers, what about those who want to go into poultry? We believe all are important jobs. It is stealing which is not good. Government will absorb the cost of setting up the poultry farm either by an individual or joint venture”.
Touching on the National Apprenticeship program, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang expressed the commitment of the NDC to providing financial support to the youth to be trained by master craftsmen and artisans.
She said trainees will be certified and supported with logistics to set up their own businesses.
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang also stated that the proposed National Women’s Development Bank when established will also provide soft loans to women to expand their businesses.
This she believes will help economic empowerment of Ghanaian women, stimulate the economy and bring financial relief to homes .
Eastern Regional Chairman of NDC, Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor urged women in the country to join the NDC to make history in producing the first female Vice President to champion the welfare of women at the seat of government.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
