Synergos advocates synergy among African nations to eradicate hunger

Anthony Biney-Amissa, senior manager-finance, Synergos International, has called on African nations to form strong synergies aimed at harnessing vast agricultural potential for the continent to address hunger, starvation and developmental issues.

Biney-Amissa made the call in an interview with BusinessDay recently in Lokoja against the backdrop of the continent’s inability to feed its population in spite of vast agricultural endowments.

The financial expert, who is in the country to meet smallholder farmers and assess Synergos projects across eight states in the country, commended the continent for attaining the present stage in agricultural production and product processing.

“In my opinion, I am seeing that Africa as a whole is too young to have reached this stage. The entire continent is only 28 years removed from colonialism.

“When our colonial masters left, they did not leave us with much to move forward on. I think we were designed to fail.

“So, we have to gather ourselves back and forge ahead. It is going to take time, may be another generation but we will surely get there though where we are presently is a positive start to move forward.

On Biney-Amissa’s assessment of Synergos projects and response of farmers, who is also a Ghanaian, said he was impressed with the partnership between Synergos and all stakeholders.

“That brings me joy because I am a Ghanaian and to see my brothers and sister in Nigeria doing this project and doing it well makes me proud. It is wonderful news,” he said.

He urged farmers, especially small holder farmers to keep moving on, saying, “Don’t give up because if you do, you are not going to go anywhere because this is for our children’s future and the future of Nigeria.

“And not just talking of Nigeria alone but the future of West Africa and Africa because it starts here. Nigeria is the most powerful country in the whole of Africa and if Nigeria can sustain something like this, I think the whole of Africa will benefit immensely.

In his words, “Our mission in Synergos is to bring stakeholders in the agriculture sector together to help move things forward and that is what we are doing here in Kogi and in Nigeria.”

 

Victoria Nnakiaike