The newly appointed Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has embarked on a tour of selected directorates under the ministry, marking his first official engagement since assuming office on January 23, 2025.
The tour, which began on Monday, aimed to familiarize the minister with the operations of key directorates and strengthen collaboration in advancing Ghana’s agricultural agenda.
Minister Opoku commenced his visit at the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), where he was warmly received by Director Mr. Eric Benstil Quaye. During the briefing, Mr. Quaye highlighted the directorate’s critical role in safeguarding plant health, facilitating international trade, and promoting agricultural sustainability.
He explained that the PPRSD oversees the import and export of plants and plant products at 53 border checkpoints, as mandated by the Plant and Fertilizer Act of 2010.
Speaking during the visit, Acting Chief Director Mr. Paul Siameh emphasized that the minister’s tour is part of a broader effort to understand the operational realities of the ministry while fostering direct communication with staff.
“These engagements will pave the way for deeper conversations about ongoing projects and the challenges we face as a ministry,” Mr. Siameh stated.
Hon. Eric Opoku reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the various directorates to achieve the government’s vision of leveraging agriculture as a key driver of economic transformation.
“Agriculture has the potential to create jobs and address economic challenges, including issues related to the exchange rate,” he noted, signaling his intent to prioritize the sector’s growth and resilience.
The minister continued his tour with visits to the Statistics Research and Information Directorate, Human Resource Development and Management Directorate, Directorate for Agricultural Extension Services, and the Crops Services Directorate.
Each stop offered insights into the diverse functions of the ministry and opportunities to strengthen interdepartmental collaboration.
This strategic tour is widely viewed as an effort to lay a solid foundation for addressing the pressing challenges within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
