Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, head of Inter-Party and CSO Relations, made a shocking revelation about the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative. He disclosed that there is no policy document for the program, raising serious concerns about its legitimacy and implementation.
In an interview with Oheneba Boamah Bennie on Accra-based radio XYZ, Dr. Otokunor asserted that the initiative was poorly conceived by the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He stated, “There is no policy document for Planting for Food and Jobs policy; it was not a well-thought-through policy by the NPP.”
Dr. Otokunor revealed that he personally visited the Ministry of Food and Agriculture several times to obtain the policy document, but it was nowhere to be found. His efforts to get clarity from the Ministry were unsuccessful, suggesting a lack of transparency and organization within the ministry.
Dr. Otokunor further explained that the program was included in the 2017 budget based on a $150 million grant from the Canadian Government. The financial arrangement was formalized in an agreement signed by then Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms. Heather Anne Cameron.
The absence of a policy document raises questions about the program’s objectives, strategies, and expected outcomes. Dr. Otokunor’s revelation has sparked concerns about the effectiveness and sustainability of the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative.
The lack of a policy document also raises concerns about accountability and the management of the $150 million grant. Dr. Otokunor’s comments have sparked a call for transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs program.
