The Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition (GTLC) has expressed similar sentiments to those of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) that suggest that awards given to farmers in the National Farmers’Day may be politically motivated. GTLC stressed that there currently exists no proper basis or structures that allow farmers to be awarded fairly.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition (GTLC), Ibrahim Akalbila explained that the situation is made even worse because access to agricultural services and inputs are uneven. He expressed worry that despite numerous interventions by successive governments, people in rural areas; particularly women still are challenged when it comes to access to agricultural services.
He said this while speaking to A1 Radio in Bolgatanga. “The conditions are not right to go out there to say you’re awarding farmers based on these conditions that are provided. There is an element of politicisation in it. So I will go along with it [what the PFAG is saying]. There is really no framework on which we can actually judge what has happened,” he explained.
Mr. Akalbila encouraged the government to put fair conditions in place for all farmers to thrive. Once that is done, those who excel by being innovative in using the opportunities provided can be awarded accordingly.
“The Farmers’ Day celebration for us is just a political gimmick. It doesn’t really serve the purpose for which it was instituted,” he added.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
