Digitize agriculture to attract youth and create wealth – Dr Kofi Sarpong
Dr Kofi Kodua Sarpong, the Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has called for digitalization in the agriculture sector to make it more appealing to the youth and help reduce graduate unemployment.
The country’s economy was running at 7% GDP prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Dr Sarpong, but it saw a sharp decline in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Agriculture has been a big contributor to Ghana’s economy, he added, and if properly harnessed, it will draw more youth to the industry.
Speaking at the 10th edition of the Ghana Economic Forum in Accra, Dr Sarpong noted “Agriculture remains one of the critical sectors that make contribution to GDP over the years. We need to design policies that will make it more attractive, particularly for the youth. This has the propensity of creating sustainable employment, thereby, reducing unemployment”
He also advised Ghanaians to get ready to go the digital route in order to boost wealth for everybody.
“Technology undoubtedly is emerging as the force of Ghana’s economy for the 21st century of global competitiveness. Therefore, there is massive opportunities in equipping oneself in technology,” he said.
Dr Sarpong further emphasized the importance of the energy sector in driving the government’s industrialization goal, noting that investment in it is crucial for the country’s long-term economic sustainability.
ABOUT THE GHANA ECONOMIC FORUM-GEF
The subject for this year’s event is ‘Strengthening Home-Grown Policies to Underpin the National Digitisation Drive and Shared Financial Prosperity,’ with a focus on the youth.
Dr. K.K. Sarpong, Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), is chairman of the three-day event, which brings together specialists from all sectors of the economy to discuss and propose various options for economic development.
The impact of the government’s economic recovery plans and the digitization of the Ghanaian economy will be discussed on Day 1 of this year’s event, while Day 2 will focus on youth employment and Day 3 will debate difficulties in the energy sector.
The forum will look at strategic and domestic initiatives that can help boost economic growth.
‘Driving job creation through entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation’ will be the focus for Day 2 of this year’s GEF.
The GEF’s final day will be devoted to the vital energy sector, with the topic “Africa Energy Sector: Ensuring the West Africa Sub-Medium- Region’s to Long-Term Sustainability.”
Source: Richard Mensah Adonu | Join our Telegram Group
