The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) for its significant contributions to the country's agricultural sector. 

It said the PCG has been a formidable force in Ghana's socio-economic development, with a strong presence in education, health and agriculture.

Addressing the sixth Development and Social Services consultation of the PCG, held at Abokobi, near Accra, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, described as significant the impact of the intervention of the Presbyterian Agricultural Services(PAS) in Ghana’s agric sector.

In the speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister, John Dumelo, the Minister commended PCG for its commitment to initiatives that address both physical and spiritual needs. 

“The Presbyterian Agricultural Services has, over the past 50 years, impacted the sector, the efforts positively transforming communities, particularly in northern Ghana, and I greatly commend the Service for its continuous impact,” he stated.

The PAS

The Presbyterian Agricultural Services (PAS), an arm of the Church’s Development and Social Services, was set up with the aim of making the Church more relevant in sustaining the social and environmental well-being of communities.

It was also to complement the government’s efforts towards poverty reduction in rural and peri-urban communities of the country.

The PAS’s strategy has evolved from focusing on improving the productivity of farmers through agricultural advisory /extension support to facilitating access to markets for their produce.

Among its services are agricultural development, value chain development, water and sanitation, environment and climate change, market access (crops and shea) for farmer-based organisations (FBOs) and women shea cooperatives for sheakernels and sheabutter.

Presently, PAS has eight agriculture stations and project centres in Garu, Tamale (Mile 7), Sandema, Langbensi, Tease, Abokobi, Katamanso (Cattle Ranch) and the Faranya Agri-Business Centre.

PCG’s Development and Social Services consultation provides a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the church's contributions to social development. 

Strategic partnership

Mr Opoku also stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and the PCG in promoting sustainable food security, emphasising that it was through such collaborative and coordinated efforts that significant success is chalked.

"We recognise the PCG as a credible and strategic partner in promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.

"We look forward to deepening our collaboration with the PCG in areas such as women and youth in agriculture, climate-smart farming and agricultural infrastructural development."

Mr Opoku further highlighted the government's commitment to modernising the agricultural sector, citing initiatives such as the "Feed Ghana" programme, which supports smallholder and commercial farmers, as well as school farm projects.

He encouraged the PCG to continue participating in these initiatives, noting that their contributions would be crucial in achieving the government's vision for a modernised agricultural sector.

The minister also urged the PCG to embrace and adopt digital farming tools to enhance productivity.