Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has defended the decision to train Feed Ghana Brigadiers at the Ghana Police Training School, saying the programme was designed to instill discipline and leadership rather than teach agricultural skills.
Addressing the passing-out ceremony of 506 Feed Ghana Brigadiers and District Feed Ghana Coordinators in Accra on Wednesday, the Minister said the recruits were already qualified agricultural professionals with degrees in agriculture and related fields.
According to him, the police training was intended to prepare them for the demands of field work by building discipline, teamwork, resilience and accountability.
Mr. Opoku also announced that the Brigadiers will provide agricultural advisory services not only under the Feed Ghana Programme but also to private agribusinesses, schools, households and other institutions.
He revealed that some private companies have already requested the services of the newly trained officers, adding that the Ministry will recruit and train more agricultural graduates as the programme expands.
The Minister urged the District Feed Ghana Coordinators to work closely with District Directors of Agriculture and Agricultural Extension Officers, stressing that they are joining the Ministry’s existing structure and not creating a parallel system.
He charged the graduates to serve with integrity, humility and patriotism, saying the success of the Feed Ghana Programme would be measured by increased food production, job creation and improved support for farmers nationwide.
Sompaonline.com/Prince Atta-Boateng
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