FAO tells Ghana, other African oil producers to invest in agric
Ghana, and other oil –producing African nations have been advised to use revenues from the ‘black gold’ to support their agric sectors.
The FAO’s Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, who gave the advise at its Regional Conference for Africa in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo said African oil-producing nations have a great opportunity to promote the continent’s social and economic development and lift it out of its continuing food insecurity situation.
“I would like to appeal to African nations, especially oil-producing countries to invest some of these resources in agriculture in a sustainable manner without damaging the environment,” Graziano da Silva was quoted in an FAO statement April 30, 2012 as saying .
Ghana joined the elite of oil-producing countries December 2010 and there are fears that the agric sector, which has been the bedrock of the economy, will be ignored despite government’s effort to avoid the so-called “Dutch Disease”.
The FAO Boss was convinced that ending hunger is “possible”, given true political commitment by African countries.
“Each one of us has a contribution to make to achieve this goal: governments, the private sector, civil society, international and regional organizations and the media. I call upon all of you, all of us, to join forces to free the world from this curse,” he added.
The meeting concluded with African countries reaffirming their commitment to ending hunger in the continent and defining which areas the FAO should focus its work on to support this goal. They include increasing productivity and market access for smallholders, reducing vulnerability to threats to food and nutrition security and improving management and governance for sustainable use of natural resources.
Participants thanked the FAO for its support to the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) and stressed the importance of continuing to work in its framework and of stimulating public and private partnerships and investments to develop the continent’s agricultural sector.
By Ekow Quandzie