Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo inaugurates Planting for Export and Rural Development

President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has recently unveiled Planting for Export and Rural Development. He said that the newly inaugurated Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) programme will boost the foreign exchange earning capacity of the Ghanaian economy.

“Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) provides a historical opportunity for addressing the economic fundamentals by expanding the capacity to earn foreign exchange from agricultural exports, and generate much-needed jobs,” Ghana’s Head of State, Nana Akufo-Addo opined.

With the programme designed to focus on the development of selected export tree crops, namely cashew, coffee, oil palm, coconut, mango and rubber, the country’s President added that PERD presents Ghana with opportunities for diversification and new sources of revenue. He gave the comments while inaugurating the PERD, which is a module under the Government’s strategic programme for the growth and development of agriculture, ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’.

According to the 75-year old leader, the government of Ghana is taking the necessary steps towards the establishment of the relevant institution to regulate tree crop development in the country. “A draft bill for the development of the tree crop sector will shortly be approved by Cabinet, prior to its submission to Parliament. The bill, when passed by Parliament, will establish the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA). The proposed Authority will provide policy direction and regulation for the development of the sector,” he added, as reported by Graphic Online.

He also cited that PERD has combined with other flagship programmes like One District One Warehouse, One Village One Dam and One District One Factory to provide a historical chance in bringing a total transmutation of agriculture and through that the transformation of the economy of Ghana.

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