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The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, was singled out for special commendation by the President, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday.

The President is elated by the sterling performance of the Agric Minister, following his successful implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs program.

The President's recognition of the Agric Minister's performance follows similar ones received a couple of weeks ago by the Africa Seeds, the implementing agency for the African Union Seed Programme which honoured him with the title "Champion of African Seeds" and the Association of Regional Chairmen Aides who also adjudged him as the Best Performing Minister for 2018.

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CIAG) also voted the PFJ as the Most Outstanding Flagship Program in 2018.

However, during his presentation of the 2019 State of the Nation's Address, the President unequivocally cited Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, for mentioning, commending him for his impressive performance which has turned around the fortunes of Ghana's agricultural sector.

Ghana's agricultural sector has seen a dramatic turnaround in the last two years, resulting in the country becoming a net exporter of some major food crops to neighbouring countries.

For the first time in the history of the country's agriculture, Ghana in the year 2018, did not import maize as a result of the bumper harvest recorded under the program.

Ghana currently exports food items such as plantain, maize, cowpea and banana to Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast. 

Before 2017, Ghana was importing these same food crops neighbouring countries.

The sector has also witnessed a positive growth of about 8.5% of GDP, and the figure is projected to reach double digit by the end of 2020.

Many Ghanaians have attested to the achievements of the Planting for Food and Jobs, including prominent personalities and traditional rulers.

In the 2018 crop season, the Ministry exceeded farmers' target of 500,000, recording nearly 700,000 beneficiaries.

The program is expected to benefit over one million farmers in the 2019 crop season.