The General Agricultural Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress Ghana has called for the creation of a permanent Ghana Agricultural Service, saying the annual Farmers Day celebration risks becoming an empty ritual without real structural support for farmers.
Speaking as the nation marked Farmers Day on Friday, the union said Ghana cannot secure its food future with temporary interventions, short term projects or once a year celebrations.
It argued that a dedicated service, similar to the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service, is needed to drive policy, strengthen extension delivery, support research and ensure continuity in the agricultural sector.
According to the union, farmers remain the backbone of the country, working through unstable weather, rising input costs and limited support to keep Ghana fed. The union acknowledged recent government efforts under the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness which include mechanisation support and improved irrigation schemes. It also welcomed the renewed push for a national mindset of producing what the nation eats.
However, the union said that despite these interventions, the lack of a structured and professional service for agriculture continues to undermine progress. It insisted that farmers, who labour through droughts and floods with little protection, deserve a system that recognises their work and empowers the sector in a consistent and organised manner.
GAWU listed several urgent issues the government must address. First is the critical shortage of agricultural extension officers. The current ratio of one officer to one thousand five hundred farmers is three times worse than the internationally accepted standard. At the same time, the union noted, agriculture colleges continue to produce graduates who remain unemployed because key public institutions lack financial clearance to recruit them.
The union also called for the recapitalisation of the Ghana Cocoa Board, warning that the cocoa sector, which has long supported the national economy, is under strain. Without fresh investment, the union said, Ghana risks falling behind in yield improvement, farmer support and value addition.
Another concern is the lack of adequate research infrastructure, particularly for horticulture. GAWU urged the government to revive a 2013 decision by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to establish a national Horticulture Research Institute, describing horticulture as a major emerging area that could diversify Ghana’s export potential.
As the country celebrated its farmers, the union reminded Ghanaians that the day should serve as a call to action rather than a ceremonial event. It said the future of food security depends on building a modern and inclusive agricultural sector that respects farmers, listens to their experiences and provides young people with meaningful opportunities.
GAWU also paid special tribute to women in agriculture, acknowledging their often unseen labour in planting, harvesting, processing, trading and feeding households across the country. The union pledged to continue advocating for their safety, rights and leadership.
Source: metrotvonline.com
