EDITORIAL TEAM
FROM THE EDITOR
Agriculture matters , walk the talk
It is interesting that both Ghana ’ s presidential hopefuls are slugging it out on who has the best plans to revive a dormant sector that could have profound implications for the future of this west African nation and impact millions of its people . That Ghana is a net importer of staple food is a travesty in itself for a country with about 66 percent of its land area classified as suitable for agriculture . As we note in our feature on Ghana politics , the country imports about $ 500 million worth of rice per year , and about $ 1 billion worth of tomatoes and oil and chicken . The country controls about 15 percent of the world cocoa market , which is invariably dominated by its neighbour , Cote D ’ Ivoire . Agriculture contributes about 40 percent of Ghana ’ s GDP , accounting for about half of its export earnings and employs over half of its population , formally and informally . In 1992 , the share of agriculture to the country ’ s Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) was 23.6 percent , growing to about 41 percent in 1995 . But the Ghana Statistical Service reports that the contribution of agriculture to GDP declined from 29.8 percent in 2010 to 22 percent at the end of last year .
A report by the World Bank Group showed that about 21 percent of the Ghanaian population has moved out of agriculture to other more productive economic sectors over the 18-year period between 1992 and 2010 . So it goes without saying that agriculture is Ghana ' s most important economic sector , more so than oil . But prior to 2008 , Ghanaian governments had basically ignored the sector for two decades . So the sector needs more than just political lip service . Africa has enjoyed sustained agricultural productivity growth since 2005 and Ghana is late to the party . According to the New Partnership for Africa ’ s Development ( NEPAD ), agriculture today accounts for 32 % of GDP in Africa and is the sector that offers greatest potential for poverty reduction and job creation , particularly among vulnerable rural populations and urban dwellers with limited job opportunities .
Growth generated by agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be 11 times more effective in reducing poverty than GDP growth in other sectors – a vital multiplier given that 65 % of the continent ’ s labour force is engaged in agriculture . A vibrant , sustainable and resilient agriculture sector is vital for Ghana ’ s , and indeed the sub-Saharan Africa ’ s economic future . Ghana ’ s national economic plan , known as Ghana Vision 2020 launched in 1995 , envisions Ghana as the first African nation to become a developed country between 2020 and 2029 and a newly industrialized country between 2030 and 2039 through the integration of science and technology in governmental programmes , including in the agricultural sector . Lofty ambitions but the journey has to start somewhere . Our politicians need to start walking the talk to unlock the potential of this sector .
Alfonce Mbizwo alfonce @ businesstimesafrica . net
Editor Alfonce Mbizwo alfonce @ businesstimesafrica . net
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