MPs welcome "free land for farming"

Fallacy # 1.

The Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Maxwell Kofi Jumah says perception that the package is meant for only ministers; deputy ministers and members of Parliament must be discarded because the package is aimed at enticing Ghanaians to venture into agriculture.

He said the concept is not new in Africa because it has been used in Cote D’Ivoire and proven successful and beneficial to the people.

My comment-
ITS A BIG LIE- Ivory Coast's first president, Houphet Boigny ddid not limit his socialist state farms concept to members of his government. He declared the country free for all immigrants to farm any where they settled. It worked at first but that what got them into trouble as settlers were now naturalised Ivorians and the skewed minded current Ivorian President declared them per so non grata with his xenophobic ideas of "the Ivorian"
--Franklin




Fallacy # 2.

Another Member of Parliament for Asawase, Mohammed Mubarak lauded the initiative and said it will go a long way to supplement the income of MPs on retirement.

He however disagreed to suggestions that the facility be directed to traditional farmers, explaining that it will be difficult to recover loans from farmers.

“ Its very difficult dealing with the farmers because anytime they such access money, they this its some kind of Father Christmas and paying it back, they will tend to have one reason or another,” he said.

My comments-

Whats about the MPs who took a $20,000 car loan five years ago, though they were paid $300 a month, and NEVER paid back. They have been rewarded after heavily defaulting on the first loan witha $25,000 car loan again!! These MPs should rather help reduce the rsing cost of doing business by voting to lower taxes for the ordinary farmers. They also need to axe the central bank's directive to keep almost 30 per cent of commercial banks cash as rserves in order to free up resources and reuce interest rates on loans for farmers.

-Franklin Cudjoe


The Wisest counsel from another MP, although it pains me to admit that he is right-


The NDC’s national organizer and former MP for Fanteakwa, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo said----
“ My only problem is that MPs, ministers and deputy minister are very buy now and for that matter they will end up being absentee farmers so if we not careful and this large sums of monies and quantum of resources are channeled into it and the returns are not favourable, it will create problems,” he said.

Mr Ofosu Ampofo suggested that former MPs and minister who are not doing anything now and are interested be encouraged since they have more time on their hands.

“Every year we get 138 district best farmers, 10 regional best farmers, 3 national best farmers and 2 runner ups. We can go back to trace these winners to see how they are faring.

We can use them to set up nuclear farms and engage several people in their areas. I believe that because they are experienced, if we support them it will boost agriculture rather than turn the wheel to have somebody who is not interest in farming,” he said.