Tuesday, 14 July

Deliberate investment in Agriculture has driven food inflation below 4%, reduced cost of living – Eric Opoku

Business
Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku in blue long sleeve and white cap

Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku has credited deliberate government investment in agriculture for Ghana recording food inflation below four per cent, describing it as a historic achievement that is easing the cost of living for Ghanaians.

According to the minister, the decline in food inflation is the result of conscious and intentional policies implemented by the government rather than chance.

"Let the Ghanaian people appreciate the fact that the food inflation we have recorded did not come out of the blue. It is because of conscious and intentional investment in the space that is producing the result," Mr Opoku said.

He said Ghana had not recorded food inflation below four per cent in several decades.

"Over several decades, Ghana has not recorded food inflation before 4%. And so, it is something that we should be proud of... You can check the records," he stated.

Mr Opoku explained that lower food prices have a direct impact on household incomes and poverty levels, allowing families to spend less on food and channel their savings into other essential needs.

"There is a positive relationship between food prices and the number of Ghanaians in the poverty bracket. When food prices go up, you have to expend a sizable percentage of your income to be able to buy food for survival. And when food prices come down, you make a lot of savings for other important projects," he said.

He added that sustaining the current trend would help Ghana achieve food sufficiency, strengthen food security and create more jobs across the agricultural value chain.

Source: classfmonline.com/Edem Baldwin Afanou