Des moines: Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has attended the opening of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, held in connection with the World Food Prize, which is being organized by the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa in the United States.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event brings together global leaders and experts to deliberate on critical issues of food security, as global food security is a cornerstone of global peace. A statement issued by the Office of the Vice President emphasized the importance of these discussions in reminding world leaders that achieving food security is central to sustainable development and stability.
The statement indicated that Mr. Eric Opoku, Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture, participated in the panel titled ‘From Policy to Progress: A Diplomatic Legacy,’ where he reiterated Ghana’s commitment to self-reliance in food production. Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, agriculture is positioned as the pivot of Ghana’s economic transformation.
Flagship initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Programme and the 24-Hour Economy Policy are aimed at stimulating productivity, enhancing value addition, and creating sustainable employment opportunities. The statement further conveyed the Government of Ghana’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive in agriculture.
This includes fostering a symbiotic relationship between agricultural production and agro-processing, ensuring that value chains generate jobs and drive inclusive economic growth. Additionally, Ghana’s doors are open to strategic and equitable partnerships in key areas such as soil science, post-harvest loss reduction, and the processing of key export crops such as cocoa, shea nuts, and cashew.
Ghana aims to add value, improve farmers’ incomes, and secure long-term sustainability in the agricultural sector. The discussions at the Dialogue reinforced Ghana’s position as a committed partner in global food security efforts, determined to harness agriculture as a tool for economic empowerment and peace-building.