Obama in Ghana: The speech he should have made | Links

Obama in Ghana: The speech he should have made | Links: "A government study found that 57% of US rice farms would not have
covered their cost if they did not receive subsidies. In 2000-2003 the
average cost of production and milling of US white rice was US$415
(RM1,486) per tonne, but it was exported for just US$274 (RM981) per
tonne, a price 34% below its costs. No wonder farmers in Ghana could not
compete with imported American rice.

Another major problem facing Ghana and other African countries is the
free trade agreements (known as the Economic Partnership Agreements)
they are scheduled to sign with the European Union this year. Under the
EPA, African countries are asked to lower their tariffs to zero on 80%
of their products. Agricultural products are among those affected.

This will lock them into a trade policy that will perpetuate what the
IMF and World Bank started, with artificially cheapened imports
continuing to overwhelm the domestic food market.

Thus, if the G8 countries really want to assist Africa to boost its
domestic food production, their US$20bil in funds has to be accompanied
by a change in policies.

Unless this is done, the programme will not succeed. And Africa will
most likely continue to be blamed for its lack of good governance."