Dr Adu Owusu Sarkodie, a lecturer at the Department of Economics at the University of Ghana has asked government to step up effort in averting a possible food shortage in the country.
The call comes as Ghana continues to witness poor rainfall pattern in parts of the country leading to a slight increase in the prices of some staple food on the market.
Speaking on the 2021 Mid-Year Budget Review on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (30 July), Dr Sarkodie said: “Remember that we are through half of the year, and the rains have not been forthcoming as we anticipated.
“So, we should improve irrigation policies and programmes to ensure an all-year round production so that we have enough food to feed ourselves.”
Preventing food shortage
He added: “The last thing we want in this country is shortage of food. We cannot afford that, with this virus we cannot afford shortage of food in the country.”
The lecturer, however, commended the government for not scrapping some critical social interventions amidst the pandemic.
“So, it is good that he [Finance Minister] also re-emphasised the point of providing essentials. The other pillar which was contained in the budget was to continue with the safety nets… remember during the lockdown people were served food, subsidies were provided for water and electricity.
“Already, before the COVID-19 there were existing social intervention programmes and government is continuing with them ie Free SHS, School Feeding Programme.. so the safety net is important to cushion the poor and vulnerable in times like this,” Dr Sarkodie said.
Fred Dzakpata
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