Mr Francis Owusu Antwi, the Bono East regional Minister says his administration has prioritised agriculture, focusing on the agriculture value chain, financing, credit risk mitigation and project management to advance the sector.
He said advancing the sector would not only improve food productivity but also make it more attractive for the youth and to create employment for the population.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) for his vision for the region, Mr Antwi said he was highly optimistic that the region’s economic development could progress fast through modernised agriculture.
He said commercial farming, livestock production and aqua culture had huge economic prospects for the region and called on farmers to see agriculture as a lucrative enterprise and not a reserve for the poor.
Mr Antwi, an agriculturist said he had over years contributed to the growth and development of the sector, assisting farmers and experts in the sector to develop strategies for increased food productivity.
“As one of the food baskets of the nation, I am committed to making the sector flourish and to grantee national food security and creating jobs for the youth”, he stated.
His Profile
Born on March 6, 1979, Mr Antwi said he holds a Master of Business Agriculture (MBA) in Strategic Management and a Bachelor of Business Agricultural (BBA) in Marketing. He also has a Certificate in General Agriculture from Valley View University.
He said he also holds a Post Chartered Diploma from Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAG), Advanced Diploma in Treasury and Financial Risk Management, Academy of Business Administration (ICM – UK), Project Management, and Cost Professional Certificate in Microfinance from University of Cape.
On his career path, Mr Antwi said he was the Head of Credit at Yapra Rural Bank Limited, Project Officer at the Odotobri Rural Bank Limited and Assistant Project Officer at the Yapra Rural Bank Limited and served as a cashier at the Atebubu office of the Volta River Authority (VRA).
By Jerry Azanduna, GNA
