By Florence Afriyie Mensah
Kumasi, Sept. 15, GNA – Fairtrade Africa is advocating for the government to pay farmers as expected of them, to enhance proper land management and discourage the wanton destruction of the environment.
Mr Edward Akapire, Head of Region, West Africa Network – Fairtrade Africa, explained that the challenges of farmers were numerous, but measures must be taken to shield their rights.
He said respect for human rights was central to Fairtrade, adding that it was necessary Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) practices were adhered to.
Mr Akapire was speaking at a roundtable discussion with stakeholders and partners on HREDD in Kumasi, to cause a positive change for farmers and stakeholders.
The objective of the meeting was to get feedback from the Producers’ Organizations (POs) who were benefiting from the Dignified Opportunities Nurtured through Trade and Sustainability (DONUTS) Programme on how to comply with or intend to comply with the human rights component of HREDD.
The DONUTS, a Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded project, aims to include, and strengthen CSOs, ensure economic rights of farmers and workers as well as farmers and workers living in harmony with the environment and climate change.
The Head of the Region noted that measures were being taken to address challenges, including identifying and assessing child labor risks.
Representatives from Kuapa Kokoo, Asunafo North Union and Asetenapa Cooperative, International Cocoa Initiative, Social Welfare, COCOBOD, Licensed Buying Companies and POs from Ashanti, Asunafo North and Suhum-Ayensuano enclaves attended the meeting.
Ms Tiina Johanna Kajakoski, from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, expressed the importance of working with organizations at local levels in Ghana to learn the best practices developed on HREDD for human rights which was a core for Finland.
According to her, Finland’s democracy was based on human rights and the rule of law which had propelled the country to make a lot of profit from people in the farming value chain.
Participants expressed willingness to learn more about human rights and environmental due diligence to foster cooperation and productivity in farming.
GNA