Jumapo(E/R) ,Nov. 14 ,GNA – The Founder of the Project Unprecedented Africa(PUA) , a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), which focus on youth empowerment , Mr Ogbegbe Goodnews Chizindu, has called on the youth to start their own businesses and stop depending on the government for jobs .
He said Ghana’s economy needed a well developed agricultural backing to be able to strive ahead.
Mr Chizindo said with good strategies including adequate investment and stimulus packages, the agricultural sector could be more attractive to the youth and help reduce unemployment in the country.
Mr Chizindu made the statement when he engaged the New Juaben North Cocoa Farmers Union at an empowerment program Organised for farmers at Jumapo in the New Juaben North Municipality.
He said in 2015, Ghana lost over two million dollars in vegetables exports alone, when the country’s vegetables were banned from the world market as a result of contamination through the use of excessive chemicals.
Mrs Joyce Ametepeh, the New Juaben North Municipal Agriculture Officer, urged the farmers to assess the free pesticides being offered by her office.
Mr Nicholas Addai Addo, the secretary of the New Juaben North Cocoa Farmers Union, said farmers were ready to expand their farms, but lacked the financial support and the banks were not ready to give out loans to farmers.
He expressed concern about the increasing cost of farming inputs and materials and said things were becoming difficult.
A farmer, Mr Kwabena Akrofo, blamed the lack of interest of the youth in farming on the Ghana Education Service, for truncating backyard gardening in the schools and teachers using weeding as punishment for students.
