Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, has urged staff of his ministry to avoid partisan politics, stressing the need for neutrality and dedication to their duties. The minister issued this strong caution during a meeting with staff of various directorates, as part of his tour of departments and agencies under the ministry on Monday, January 27, 2025. According to him, political biases can hinder progress and the collective goal of advancing Ghana’s agriculture sector.
“The politics is over. You may belong to whichever party. At the end of the day, we’re talking about Ghana and how to govern our country. So let us hang our political jackets and mobilize all that we have,” he said. He warned against harboring political motives that could sabotage government efforts, noting that such attitudes would not be tolerated. “If you’re still in the political mood and you think everything is about politics, then you become an obstacle. And every obstacle must be cleared,” he added.
The minister further encouraged staff to work together to support the government’s vision of transforming the agricultural sector. He underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation to boost agricultural productivity and reduce reliance on imports, particularly for essential produce like onions and tomatoes. Hon. Opoku emphasized that success in agriculture would benefit the entire nation, regardless of political affiliations.
As part of his tour, the minister visited the Plant Protection Regulatory Services Directorate at Pokuase, where he pledged to tap into the directorate’s expertise to enhance crop yields. He also scheduled meetings with teams from the Statistics Research and Information Directorate, Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services, and Human Resource Directorate at Ghana House in Accra to discuss key issues and foster collaboration on impactful projects.
