The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has said that agriculture is an important backbone of the economy, and to scale it up to modern, commercial levels to secure food security for Ghanaians necessarily involves stable and reliable power.

He made these remarks when he received a delegation from the governing board of the National Service Scheme (NSS).

The courtesy call was on the back of the energy needs of the Sekyere Kumawu Economic Enclave Project that the NSS is spearheading in the Ashanti Region.

The agro-industrial project involves large-scale farming of maize and soybean, as well as allied activities such as agro-processing and training of national service personnel in the agriculture value-chain.

“This is a very commendable initiative and I am confident that this youth-centered programme fits into the President’s vision for our economy as captured under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme”, the Minister said.

“Through this, value will be added to our agricultural produce,” he added.

“Ghana is blessed with arable land and a favourable climate, and my ministry stands ready to support the project’s power needs to make it more viable and to serve as a template to be replicated in other parts of the country”, Dr. Prempeh stated.