Franklin Sowa, Director of Sales and Marketing at Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), is optimistic that the next Graphic National Development Series (GNDS) in Kumasi would bring ideas that will assist the country in turning its economic fortunes around.

According to him, if the government paid more attention to the agricultural sector through investments, it might turn around its economic fortunes.

The GCGL will hold a high-level agricultural dialogue tomorrow at the Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi, chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to find solutions to the country's agricultural challenges.

The inaugural edition of the GNDS, a new project by the corporation to commemorate the country's independence, aims to identify feasible solutions from the brightest minds in the agriculture industry.

The dialogue, which will be held under the theme "Transforming Ghana's Agriculture Using Home-Grown Solutions for Food Security," is expected to bring together agricultural supply actors such as farmer associations, traders, marketing people, decision-maker, development agencies, financial institutions, and distribution agents.

Speakers


Prof. Father Godfrey Nzamujo, Songha Centre, Republic of Benin, and Abraham Dwuma Odoom, former Member of Parliament, Twifo-Atti-Morkwa Constituency

The program is anticipated to feature speakers such as Professor Godfrey Nzamujo, Director of the Organic Agriculture Center, Songhai.


Dr Michael Abu Sakara, an agronomic and former presidential candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP), and Abraham Dwuma Odoom, a top agricultural policy expert and former Member of Parliament for Twifo-Atti-Morkwa in the Central Region, are also scheduled to speak at the event.

Why agriculture?

Mr. Sowa explained why agriculture was chosen for the inaugural edition of the series, saying it was picked because of its importance to the economy.

He emphasized that if the government could improve its agricultural sector, it would assist alleviate many of the country's most pressing socioeconomic issues, such as food security and nutrition.

"Agric is one of the pillars that, if we focus on it and obtain the correct amount of inputs, can address our problems and improve our lives," he said, adding that the conversation will increase national interest in the sector.

He expressed hope that, despite the issues that the agriculture industry was facing, the country still had what it takes to make the sector profitable and a vital contributor to the economy.

He believed that the country merely needed the proper kind of remedies to turn around the agriculture industry.

"Let's start over, take a fresh look at agriculture, and work to make it better, he added. "All of a sudden, it will provide jobs for people, cut our taxes, and allow us to use the money for other purposes."

Mr. Sowa stated that just improving the country's agriculture sector will help encourage good and healthy living since people would consume better food.

"At the end of the day, if people are healthy, your spending on medical supplies, medications, and other such items may be reduced," he added, adding that a population that is unwell would negatively affect your country's productivity. According to him, agriculture is the pivot around which the entire country may turn.

Individuals with expertise

About the event's resource personnel, the GCGL Marketing Director stated that "they are people well-versed" in the agriculture industry, with various sets of skills and solid track records.

According to him, the caliber of speakers prepared for the event would aid in bringing to light the most pressing concerns that the government needed to address in order to solve the challenges in the agriculture sector.

Mr Sowa, for example, stated that Professor Nzamujo, the event's primary speaker, has experience in all parts of the agricultural industry.

Individuals with expertise

About the event's resource personnel, the GCGL Marketing Director stated that "they are people well-versed" in the agriculture industry, with various sets of skills and solid track records.

According to him, the caliber of speakers prepared for the event would aid in bringing to light the most pressing concerns that the government needed to address in order to solve the challenges in the agriculture sector.

Mr. Sowa, for example, stated that Professor Nzamujo, the event's primary speaker, has experience in all parts of the agricultural industry.

Initiatives for Graphic Discourse

As part of its ambition to be more effective as a company, the GCGL has launched a number of conversation efforts in recent years to raise awareness and educate about topics of national relevance.

It is what the dominant media organization views as its obligation to provide truthful information on succeeding governments' policies.

Again, it sees its duty in providing proper information as a manner of being accountable to Ghanaians and has therefore been constant in bringing out projects related to the discussion series.

In 2021, for example, it launched the National Sanitation Campaign, in which the Daily Graphic organized a year-long debate series and campaign to involve regions, communities, chiefs, opinion leaders, and schools in optimal sanitation practices.