The Presidential Candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Hassan Ayariga, has criticized the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagship policies, expressing disappointment in their implementation.
“I believe in the NPP party’s 1D1F, I believe in planting for food and jobs, but it was not properly implemented,” he remarked during the launch of APC’s 2024 manifesto at UPSA on Sunday, 22nd September, 2024. Ayariga, however, expressed his commitment to rectifying these issues and revitalizing the agricultural sector with a comprehensive plan.
Outlining his economic vision under the National Development Plan, Ayariga pledged to promote the use of only Ghanaian-made fertilizers on farms across the country.
He highlighted the significant financial drain caused by excessive importation, stating, “We spend over $1.2 billion in rice importation, $900 million importing fish. Meanwhile, we are capable of growing those industries ourselves.” According to him, the over-reliance on imports stifles local production and hampers economic growth.
Ayariga emphasized the need for self-sufficiency, lamenting the country’s heavy dependence on foreign products.
“We cannot have all the resources and keep importing,” he stressed, vowing to encourage value addition to local products. He further asserted, “We will make fertilizers on our own,” signifying his intent to boost domestic production and reduce import costs.
In addition to agricultural reforms, Ayariga pledged to improve transportation networks to facilitate the economical movement of farm produce across the country.
He reiterated his dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of infrastructural projects, arguing that poor transportation hampers the agricultural sector and affects farmers’ profitability.
Furthermore, Ayariga unveiled plans to build a manufacturing hub and revamp the struggling Ghanaian textile industry. He believes that such initiatives would not only reduce imports but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
