US Ambassador to Ghana, Ms. Stephanie Sullivan, and her team paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.
The deliberations centered largely on food security in the West African sub-region, developments in the cocoa sector, Child Labour, deforestation, illegal mining and its effects on the environment and the President’s vision to transform Ghana’s economy through agriculture and how the American government can collaborate and support the growth of agric and other sectors in Ghana.
Whilst commending Government of Ghana for her efforts towards poverty reduction through various interventions in the agricultural sector, she also pledged US government readiness to work in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, through agencies such as the USDA, in improving the lives of Ghanaians, particularly farmers.
She further revealed that through the USDA, her Government is ready to support the tree crop subsector, especially the ‘Prosper Cashew Project’ in processing and value addition.
Ambassador Sullivan also reiterated the US Government’s commitment towards creating an enabling environment in addressing security threats and insecurity in the sub-region through inter-agency approach. She also hinted that the American Peace Corps programme would resume with the arrival of 150 nationals in September this year.
On the part of Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, he commended the Ambassador for championing the agenda to ensure food security in the sub-region. He also took the opportunity to brief her on the successes chalked in the agricultural sector through the Planting for Food & Jobs programme.
He in addition explained to her the efforts Ghana had put in place in addressing food security in the West African sub-region.