Letter to the London Times newspaper, published Aug. 20, 2009
The success of the Nato-led intervention in Afghanistan hangs in the balance in the elections that begin today. Without a new government committed to restoring the State’s sovereignty and working with the international community to stabilise the country, the insurgency will spiral [...]
Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet it is rich in resources and potential. The upcoming elections are an opportunity for Afghans to elect a government that is committed to economic growth for all, and to replacing the current predatory regime where wealth accrues to a few corrupt cronies.
Afghanistan’s plentiful fallow land and abundant reserves of fresh water hold the potential to turn agriculture into a booming national industry. Unfortunately, agriculture has been dangerously neglected to the point that rural farmers choose to harvest opium instead of crops…Improving power, water supplies, knowledge, financing options and access to markets are the keys to modernizing Afghan agriculture.
Due to immense pressure from the people of Afghanistan, Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai has launched his book in Pashto prior to releasing the print. An online version of the book in Dari will also be put online in the next couple of days.
All Afghan intellectuals are encouraged to comment on the book.
Thanks,
Dr. Ashraf Ghani’s Press [...]
“Rural incomes per capita have to increase from $1 a day to at least $4 a day, the tipping point for opium production to become unprofitable.” Ashraf Ghani
In a recent report, Dr Ashraf Ghani outlines a medium-term strategy for getting things right in Afghanistan.
