The Director of the Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture, Dr. Peter Otokunor Boamah, has declared that shortly, President John Dramani Mahama will inaugurate a tractor assembly plant in Ghana.
He stated that this initiative is part of the government’s strategy to enhance agriculture.
He remarked, “Farmers require mechanization to improve efficiency and boost farm productivity; currently, all this equipment is not manufactured in Ghana. Therefore, to provide an immediate solution to agricultural challenges, it is essential to establish the necessary macroeconomic fundamentals, which have yet to be realized.
“The cedi has strengthened… thus, for anyone looking to invest, whether by the state or individuals, it is more economical to import machinery, seeds, and fertilizers.
“Soon, President Mahama will cut the sod for a tractor assembly plant in Ghana, as part of the three pillars of agriculture for economic transformation, which we refer to as agricultural infrastructure development.”
He further mentioned that the government is allocating resources to improve roads, particularly in farming areas, through the Big Push project.
“As part of the agro-infrastructure development, we aim to ensure that tractors and implements are manufactured locally, which will lead to lower costs in the long run, alongside better road conditions. This is the rationale behind the president’s launch of the Big Push; a significant portion of this initiative will focus on critical roads for our agricultural sector.
“The neglected cocoa roads are being addressed; new roads are also under construction. The Minister of Roads and Highways has discussed plans to build a bridge over Afram Plains to facilitate the connection and enhance post-production activities, thereby improving post-harvest performance.”
