The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) congratulates all farmers, especially smallholder farmers, for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in producing food and other commodities for the nation. We particularly commend all award winners at the sub-national and national levels and urge them to use this recognition as motivation to deepen food production and help Ghana achieve food and nutrition security.
This year’s celebration, under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future” aligns with the Government of Ghana’s quest for food security and reducing the USD 3 billion food import bill through the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA). The PFAG acknowledges the government’s resolve to prioritize agriculture through the increased 2026 budget allocation and initiatives like the Feed Ghana Program, “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” and vegetable development project. While these efforts are yielding significant returns, perennial challenges persist, impacting farmer productivity. The recent staple produce glut highlights deep-rooted post-harvest and supply chain bottlenecks, requiring systematic and permanent solutions.
As the nation honors its hardworking farmers, the PFAG reiterates key areas for government prioritization to increase productivity, protect investments, reduce food imports, and enhance food sufficiency:
1. Improve Production Infrastructure: The PFAG acknowledges the GH¢105 million for irrigation and GH¢828 million for agricultural roads in the 2026 budget but notes these are inadequate. We call for the construction of major irrigation facilities nationwide, prioritizing regions without infrastructure, and investing in agricultural land banks, solar-powered irrigation, and expanded road networks linking food-producing communities.
2. Address Post-Harvest Losses and Market Linkages: The PFAG recognizes efforts to address the glut through resourcing of the National Food Buffer Stock (NAFCO) and directive for all public schools to procure local food. We however call for legislation to make this binding and include agencies like NADMO and the security services. A robust, transparent mechanism with accurate data, proper fund allocation, and accountable procurement is needed. In the long term, a national strategy for marketing all food crops is essential to prevent recurrence.
3. Mitigate Impact of Shocks: Past shocks like COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, dry spells, and gluts have exposed the sector’s vulnerability, affecting input prices, productivity, and investments. PFAG urges the government to create a mechanism, such as an Agriculture Development Fund, to mitigate future shocks and reduce uncertainty.
4. Review Decentralization Modalities: The PFAG recognizes local government’s role but notes the periodic neglect of agriculture interventions in local governance. The current District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) formula lacks provisions for agricultural interventions, compounded by inadequate resources and logistics for local agricultural front-line staff. We call for a review of the DACF formula to include agricultural interventions and increased allocations for implementation.
5. Combat illegal resource mining: The effects of illegal resource mining, including “galamsey” and sand winning on the livelihoods of farmers across mining areas is not only alarming but damaging to our food and nutrition security agenda. Thousands of acres of farmlands have been converted into mining zones while several others are at the risk of being destroyed for these illegal activities. Government need to take firm and radical action to protect farmlands and water bodies from these terrorists and safeguard farmers’ investment.
In conclusion, the PFAG extends our deepest commendation to all farmers for their indispensable role in sustaining Ghana’s food and nutrition security. We appreciate the government’s ongoing efforts to make Ghana food secure, but reiterate persistent systemic challenges that demand urgent action. We are hopeful that the government will treat these priorities with immediacy, as addressing them is a national necessity to safeguard investments, reduce the food import bill, enhance food sufficiency, and secure Ghana’s future.
We call on all stakeholders to unite in transforming these recommendations into tangible actions, ensuring a robust, resilient, and responsive agricultural ecosystem worthy of our farmers’ dedication.
Long live farmers. Long live Ghana
Ayeekoooo to our gallant farmers
Signed
Wepia Adugwala A. Addo
National President