Mahamudu Bawumia pledges national security focus for agriculture in Asutsuare

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, has committed to elevating agriculture to a national security priority if he is elected President. Speaking to a gathering of rice farmers in Asutsuare in the Shai Osudoku District, Bawumia outlined a vision focused on achieving food self-sufficiency and protecting local producers from the volatility of international markets. He emphasized that the sector requires a strategic overhaul to ensure it serves as a bedrock for the nation's economic stability.

During the engagement, local farmers shared the systemic hurdles they face in their daily operations, which have hindered their productivity and financial viability. These challenges include the high cost and limited accessibility of fertilizers, insufficient irrigation infrastructure, and the lack of a reliable market for their produce. Many farmers expressed frustration over the inability to recover their initial investments, often finding themselves without buyers at harvest time while imported rice continues to dominate domestic retail spaces.

To address these concerns, Dr. Bawumia proposed a multi-pronged strategy aimed at stabilizing the sector and improving farmer livelihoods. A key component of his plan includes the prioritized completion of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme to ensure year-round cultivation and reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Additionally, he pledged to introduce a policy mandating all public institutions to purchase locally produced rice, thereby creating a guaranteed market and providing stable incomes for Ghanaian producers.

Bawumia argued that strengthening the agricultural sector is essential for both economic growth and national sovereignty. By reducing the nation's heavy reliance on food imports, he believes Ghana can achieve greater food security and mitigate the impact of global supply chain disruptions. The NPP flagbearer's policy proposals underscore a shift toward indigenous production and state-supported market access as central themes in his campaign for the presidency.