By Edward Dankwah
Accra, 8 Nov, GNA – The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has called on the government to move beyond grand displays and direct resources and energy towards addressing real challenges facing the Ghanaian farmers.
The Association said transparency and timely updates were crucial in distributing relief items to farmers in affected regions.
A statement issued in Accra by the Association congratulated the farmers on the occasion of the 40th National Farmer’s Day celebration.
PFAG commended the dedication of all farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, who tirelessly produce food for consumption, industry and exports despite persistent challenging conditions.
The statement therefore called on the government to publicly outline the processes and timelines for distribution, while addressing the technical challenges in the registration process.
It said over the years, the agricultural sector had faced numerous difficulties, and successive governments had largely responded with lip service.
The statement said farmers continued to struggle with high cost of production, inadequate agricultural infrastructure, insufficient irrigation facilities, inadequate storage, poor roads, and limited market infrastructure.
“Furthermore, farmers are burdened by high credit costs, expensive inputs, and limited access to mechanisation services and poor market with unattractive prices for their produce,” it added.
It said despite these obstacles, Ghanaian farmers persisted in feeding the nation.
The statement said while recognising the importance of honoring farmers’ efforts through awards, PFAG believed that the government’s lack of action on critical issues affecting farmers revealed a concerning lack of commitment to addressing their concerns.
It said the government’s slow and ineffective response to the “galamsey” crisis suggested a lack of genuine concern for farmers’ struggles and the wellbeing of Ghanaians in general.
The statement said illegal mining had devastated farmlands nationwide, with over two million peasant farmers displaced, and countless farms destroyed due to galamsey activities.
It said despite promises from the government to curb illegal mining, it was clear that the government had prioritised winning votes over protecting the livelihoods of farmers, as they continued to witness widespread destruction of land and pollution in many mining communities.
The Association said following the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s announcement on October 10 to distribute relief packages to farmers in the eight affected regions, there had been no visible progress.
The statement said registration for relief had been fraught with issues, such as shortage of extension personnel to assist with mapping farmlands and other technical difficulties.
It said farmers continued to suffer the effects of climate change with little government support to provide sustainable solutions.
“As Ghanaians brace for a potential food shortage, the PFAG stresses the need for the ministry to prioritise collaboration with the association and address the core issues rather than deflecting blame,” it added.
The statement said PFAG was disheartened by the ineffective and flawed rollout of the PFJ 2.0 programme, which has had minimal impact on Ghanaian farmers since its launch in March.
It said like its predecessor, PFJ 2.0 had become more of a government PR gimmick than a meaningful initiative to support farmers and enhance food security.
The statement said the programme had deviated from its initial goals, failing to deliver on its promises, including linking farmers to their preferred service providers, providing mechanisation services, storage, extension services, and linking farmers to financial institutions.
It said the Association remained steadfast on their calls for an immediate declaration of state of emergency on mining activities within river bodies, forests, and farmlands.
“We also urge the government to implement a comprehensive land reclamation and restoration plan for all farmlands destroyed by illegal mining,” it stressed.
GNA