The Dean of the School of Agriculture at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Henry De-Graft Acquah, has appealed to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, to provide stronger support to the University as it trains a new generation of agricultural experts to drive Ghana’s agricultural transformation.

Speaking during an interaction with the Minister in Accra, Prof. Acquah indicated that an increase investment in training, research, and agricultural infrastructure at UCC would produce highly skilled graduates capable of addressing pressing challenges in the country’s agricultural value chain.

“Further support in the form of equipment, teaching aids, and research facilities enhance the quality of education and also boost our contribution to agricultural innovation,” Prof. Acquah stated.

“Our School has a strong footprint in the Ministry of Agriculture, particularly through our extension officers stationed in District Assemblies, who are directly impacting the lives of smallholder farmers across rural communities,” he noted.

The Dean recounted the School’s longstanding partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, which has culminated into joint projects and programmes aimed at strengthening food security, improving farmer livelihoods, and modernizing agricultural practices. He assured the Minister that under his leadership, the School would intensify collaboration with the Ministry to help deliver on national agricultural development goals.

In response, Hon. Opoku commended UCC for its immense contribution to the sector, noting the University’s pivotal role in producing competent agricultural professionals for Ghana’s development. He pledged the Ministry’s commitment to deepening its partnership with UCC and revealed plans to consider the University in the upcoming distribution of tractors and other agricultural machinery to academic and research institutions.

“The Ministry recognizes the critical role UCC plays in shaping agricultural policy and practice. We look forward to continuing this partnership to advance government’s flagship agricultural programmes and create sustainable solutions for the sector,” Hon. Opoku said.

Present at the meeting were faculty members from the School of Agriculture- Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong and Dr. Frank Kwekucher Ackah.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC