The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has urged President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a youthful and experienced Minister for Agriculture as he prepares to form his new government.In a congratulatory message to the President, PFAG stressed the importance of choosing a candidate with a solid agricultural background and the capacity to engage effectively with stakeholders across the entire value chain.

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“We humbly request that you nominate a Minister for the agricultural sector who possesses a strong agricultural background, has the experience, is affable, youthful, and has the ability to connect with stakeholders across the value chain,” the statement read.

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The association highlighted that selecting such a minister would be crucial for addressing systemic challenges in the agricultural sector and ensuring better collaboration with smallholder farmers.President Mahama, meanwhile, has acknowledged the mounting pressure and expectations surrounding his promise of a lean government.

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Speaking at the Presidential Dinner in Accra on Wednesday, January 8, Mahama noted the difficulties of balancing public expectations while ensuring effective leadership.“You wouldn’t want to be in my shoes when you’ve promised to appoint only 60 ministers, yet thousands of people are sending in their CVs. Then, maybe some people will be disappointed,” the President remarked.

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He further emphasized that while maintaining a smaller government size is significant, the collective contributions from all sectors of society remain essential for the success of his administration.

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