Ghana Seeks Patnership with Italy to Enhance Food Security—President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has stated that Ghana is looking to strengthen its partnership with Italy to enhance food security and agricultural development.

Speaking during a credential ceremony for the new Italian ambassador on Wednesday, March 12, the president acknowledged the historical ties between Ghana and Italy and how it can help in deepening collaboration in agriculture.

“Our relations have been historical, and Ghanaians have a very high regard for our cooperation with Italy. From our First Republic, we learned about Italian engineering companies like Impregilo, which built the Akosombo Dam, and later, Salini, which worked on the Bui Dam. We think that it is an area where we can continue to exchange knowledge and technical know-how,” he said.

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The President said that food security is one of the main priorities for his administration, which will help Ghana increase its food production and investment in processing and also marketing.

“One of the first things any responsible government must do is provide food security for its people. We have had inflation go up to 54%, and it is now dropping gradually to 22%, and we are hoping that it will come down further. But one of the main drivers of inflation has been food supply and food inflation. So if we are able to expand production, not only producing food but also processing and marketing it, he stated.

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The president highlighted Ghana’s willingness to work with Italy to bring economic growth through agriculture.

“This initiative you are talking about is very important because if we can get the technology and partner with Italy to produce food from the farm right to processing and the market, that is exactly the focus our government is aiming at,” he remarked.