[keypoints]
- John Dramani Mahama has promised to invest in sustainable agriculture for Northern Ghana, focusing on mechanisation and agro-processing to enhance farmer productivity and income.
- Mahama plans to establish agriculture-focused colleges in Builsa and Yagaba, and prioritise road construction to improve connectivity and development in Northern Ghana.
- The Pwalugu Dam project will continue with an audit and sustainable funding, aiming to irrigate 25,000 hectares of farmland and support year-round agriculture.
[/keypoints]
Mahama’s Bold Promise: 2024 Focus on Sustainable Agriculture to Transform Northern Ghana
In a recent media briefing in Bolgatanga, John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, unveiled his ambitious plan for Northern Ghana.
He committed to strategically investing in sustainable agriculture to drive the region’s development.
Mahama stressed the need for more effective policies to empower farmers.
[quotation name=’John Dramani Mahama’] We need to find a way where we can support the farmers that is more sustainable than in the past. Planting for Food and Jobs and other programmes that we had before have been shot in the dark, really not sustainable programmes [/quotation]
If elected, according to My Joy Online, Mahama’s government will focus on mechanisation through Farmer Service Centres.
Additionally, agro-processing will become a priority, allowing farmers to add value to their products and boost their incomes.
He highlighted examples from the Fumbisi Valley and Yagaba, noting that investing in modern technologies could potentially feed the entire nation.
The former president also plans to establish agriculture-focused colleges in the Builsa and Yagaba areas. These institutions will train teachers to support local farmers.
Mahama pledged to promote the use of locally produced crops. Government institutions, the private sector, and school feeding programmes will be encouraged to source from local farmers.
Regarding the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam, Mahama confirmed it would not be cancelled. Instead, the project will be audited and funded sustainably.
This dam could irrigate around 25,000 hectares of farmland, boosting year-round agriculture and creating jobs.
On infrastructure, Mahama promised to prioritise road construction in northern Ghana.
The proposed “ring road” will include major routes like Bolgatanga to Tamale, Bolgatanga to Wa, the Eastern Corridor, and Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road. These roads aim to connect regions and accelerate development.
