Kumasi, Dec. 5, GNA 96 A senior lecturer at the Economics Department of KNUST has suggested to the government to initiate pragmatic policies that will encourage Ghanaian farmers to produce more to achieve food security in the country as envisaged in the 2007 budget.

Mr Kwaku Boateng, who made the suggestion, pointed out that, there was the need for the government to introduce new import regime that would help reduce food importation into the country and thereby promote fair pricing for local farm produce.

He was speaking on the topic, 93Impact of the 2007 budget on the national economy=94 at a forum on the 2007 budget in Kumasi on Tuesday. The forum was organised by the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) in collaboration with the Youth In Action for Development (YIAD).

It aimed at creating an active platform for all citizens, especially the youth to have interest in the implementation of the budget and the development process of the nation. Mr Boateng said what Ghanaian farmer needed was not protection but fair competition and treatment in pricing from the highly subsidised agricultural countries, whose produce were far cheaper than those produced in the country.

He also stressed the need for the government to address post harvest losses, rehabilitate feeder roads and increase access to credits by farmers.

Mr Boateng further called for sustainable and efficient energy supply, efficient, healthy and disciplined labour force in order to attract both local and foreign investment.

Speaking on the impact of the budget on the vulnerable in society, Mr Peter Jumah, of the Sociology Department of KNUST, said increased enrolment in schools, especially at the basic levels due to the capitation grant, should be accompanied by expansion in educational infrastructure at all levels.

He called for the operationalisation of the disability bill to address the plight of the disabled and an initiative of a comprehensive programme to enable disabled persons become productive. Mr Jumah also called for an environment that would encourage the youth who had acquired vocational and technical skills to get employment. Mr Nti Berko, Kumasi Metro Director of NCCE, who spoke on the impact of the budget on governance and civic responsibility, said one major challenge facing the nation was inadequate participation of the citizenry in the decision making process. He said there was the need for active participation of all citizens in democratisation in order to promote good governance. Mr Luke Atazona of ISODEC said the forum sought to decentralise the budget and make it simple for broader participation in its implementation process. 05 Dec. 06