Fuel price hikes affront to agric devp — CPP

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has described the recent petroleum price hikes as a contradiction to the Mills Administration’s commitment to the development of the agricultural industry.
It argued that : How can food become cheaper when tractors pay more than the price of supper petrol for diesel to plough our fields, shell maize, thresh and mill our rice, transport cocoa, yam etc. Our producers and processors are pushed to the wall and have no option but to increase cost to urban dwellers.”
Dr Foster Abu Sakara ,CPP Cabinet Member for Agriculture was addressing the press in Accra today on “How the CPP will do it in Agriculture and Food Security” as part of a fortnight press conference by the party to state its position on national issues.
This is the 14th in the series since the CPP came out with the press conference in 2010.
Dr Sakara said ironically, while the Mills Administration was calling for reduction of bank interest rates and increased lending to agriculture, the producers capacity to repay loans had been diminished through high inputs rates, adding that “ increased fuel prices are making their products less competitive on the market”.
He said the effect of the hikes in fuel price was the reduction in real income. The portion of the meagre salaries spent on food is pushed even higher from an already high point of 55 per cent to 80 per cent of salaries.
“What is the point of having new houses if we cannot eat. Should we not first invest in systemic way of solving endemic problems that are directly associated with increasing productivity?” he asked.
Dr Sakara promised that under a CPP government, there would be a substantial fuel rebate for those associated directly with agricultural production and its manufacturing industry.
“This will be calculated to ensure that salaries maintain real value. Secondly, beyond the better protection of our coastline using the latest technology, we shall also seek redress with the World Trade Organisation to set up special courts for fish-stealers in our oceans,” he added.
He said it was the CPP’s view that the illegal fishing along Africa’s coast which was estimated at more than US$36 billion was not only a financial loss, it was also a criminal act that took food out of the mouths of the World’s hungriest and malnourished people.
Dr Sakara said the act commensurate with the genocide of thousands who die from malnutrition, and that if today the international community was eager to set-up courts for pirates, then there must be a system to apprehend the fish-stealers and put them before an international court.
“Our national economy will be more vibrant and be anchored by the agricultural sector against food insecurity, malnutrition and external shocks,” he added.
He stated that the national treasure of highly trained agricultural experts would derive satisfaction from seeing their products and knowledge used on an industrial scale that could feed back proceeds to support them and their institutions perform better. They deserve to enjoy professional salaries that commensurate with their skills.
Dr Sakara added that the CPP would deliver on its promises in food and agriculture sector, because it would offer fundamental changes in budget allocation, specificity of program design and implementation tailored to agro-ecological environments.
“Also there would be decentralised co-ordination and management for more effective and efficient implementation with greater accountability and enhanced probity. The CPP believes in Ghanaians and will make you all partners in development without fear. Together we would march forward toward our common destiny of a happy, peaceful and prosperous country,” he added.