Takoradi, Dec. 15, GNA - Mr Ibrahim Akalbila, Officer in-charge of Trade and Research at the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), on Wednesday called on the government to pay more attention to food and cash crop farmers to enable the agriculture sector to create employment for the youth. He made the call at a forum on 2006 budget organised by the Friends of the Nation and ISODEC at Takoradi. Mr Akalbila spoke of the contribution of the agriculture sector to the Growth Development Product (GDP) and employment. He urged the government to remove constraints facing the sector and to ensure that the supply of affordable agricultural inputs to increase productivity.

Mr Akalbila said there were still vast geographical inequalities in the provision of quality education, as well as poor and inadequate school infrastructure. He said the government should increase the capitation grant per child, as the current amount is grossly inadequate. Mr Akalbila said an increase in the grant would reduce the pressure to task parents for dues and other levies and make available the much-needed resources for the provision of teaching and learning materials, expansion and improvement of school sanitation and health, among others.