The Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast North, Dr. Kwamena Minta Nyarku has emphasized the urgent need for the government to realign agriculture with the educational curriculum in Ghana.
Speaking with Saddick Adams on the Angel Morning Show, Dr. Nyarku argued that fostering an agriculture-oriented mindset among Ghanaians is essential to engage the youth in this vital sector.
He expressed concern over the stigma surrounding agricultural studies, noting that students who wish to pursue agriculture often face negative perceptions regarding their academic performance.
“If someone wants to study agriculture, they are often viewed as underperformers academically. This societal attitude discourages many aspiring agriculturalists from pursuing their passion,” he said on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Dr. Nyarku questioned the government’s commitment to attracting youth to agriculture, asking, “Are we genuinely interested in promoting agriculture? What steps has the government taken to lure all the youths into this field?”.
He pointed out that although a few youths have channeled their energy into the agriculture practices, there is minimum enthusias among the majority willing to go the extra mile.
He highlighted the potential for importing local goods, given Ghana’s fertile land and offered that “We can cultivate anything we need right here.”
He lamented further the instability in agricultural policies, which often shift with changes in political leadership.
“The most frustrating aspect is that our mindset and the supporting structures for agriculture are constantly evolving. Each political party implements its own policies based on campaign promises,” he noted.
Dr. Nyarku urged the government to establish and implement enduring policies and structures that would support agriculture in the long term, regardless of which political party in power.
