Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the ex-Minister of Food and Agriculture, is slated to be the ‘Guest Speaker’ during the 70th-anniversary festivities of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The distinguished Ghanaian agriculture economist, renowned for his substantial expertise in agriculture and related fields, is scheduled to discuss the theme “Commemorating 70 Years of KNUST’s Global Influence on Agriculture” on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The prestigious institution of higher learning has formally invited him to speak.
The invitation expressed, “The 70th Anniversary Celebration marks a significant milestone for the Faculty, and we are confident that your insights and expertise will greatly enrich the occasion.” It further stated, “Your notable contributions to the agricultural sector and outstanding achievements have left a profound impact on the nation, and we anticipate that your presence and insights will elevate the importance of this special event.”
Running from February 13 to February 17, 2024, the week-long festivities will unite alumni, students, faculty, staff, distinguished guests, and other contributors pivotal to the success of the Faculty.
Dr. Akoto’s upcoming presentation will be his fifth public lecture within eleven months, following his March 2023 lecture at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). During that event, he delved into “The Future of the Economy of Ghana,” offering insights on leveraging the agricultural sector as a cornerstone for funding the development of other sectors in the Ghanaian economy.
During that same month, Dr. Akoto was invited as the Guest of Honour at the Zimbabwe-Ghana Business Forum. On this occasion, he encouraged both nations to enhance their trade activities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
On June 6, 2023, the ex-two-term Member of Parliament took the stage as the Special Guest of Honour, addressing leaders in the Turkish Agribusiness industry at the African Agriculture, Food, and Industry Forum in Istanbul & Tekirdağ, Turkey. This invitation came from the African Investors Council (AIC).
A Cambridge scholar holding MSc. and PhD degrees, Dr. Akoto brings over 18 years of experience in the UN systems. On July 23, 2023, he presented at the Mensah Sarbah Hall Biannual Alumni Celebrity Lecture, hosted by the Mensah Sarbah Hall Alumni Association. The lecture centered on “Leveraging Agricultural Diversification for Financing Economic Development in Ghana.”