President Nana Akufo-Addo has persuaded the citizens of Ghana to give in to the idea of patronizing local rice, using himself as an example.

The President had used his speech at the 35th National Farmers’ Day celebration to continue the advocacy for the local rice industry on Friday.

He urged Ghanaians to support farmers by consuming their produce in a bid to boost self-sufficiency. 

“The success of the government’s efforts in ensuring self-sufficiency in rice production depends largely on the level of consumption of local rice. We must eat what we grow to motivate our farmers and support the development of the local food industry.” 

“Rebecca, my beautiful wife; our First Lady, insists that we eat local rice at home and has made sure of this. I call on all Ghanaians to follow my example and eat local rice.”

As part of the government’s moves to support local rice production, President Akufo-Addo said the state was imported milling materials from China and Brazil. 

The materials are expected to arrive in Ghana in the middle of 2020 to provide “appreciable relieve to farmers and boost the grain industry.” 

The President also said his administration will continue “to prioritize and support agriculture to make the sector one of the most viable driving forces of Ghana’s economic development and transformation.”

Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting Obinwannem News