Accra, Ghana
Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Office of the President, has emphasized the urgent need for a legislative framework to support farmer cooperatives and unions across Ghana. He made this known during a meeting with executives of the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) at his office in Accra.
Dr. Otokunor lamented the current struggles of farmer cooperatives, attributing their weakened state to the absence of a regulatory structure. “One of the biggest failures in the agricultural sector is the lack of a regulatory regime for the various cooperatives and farmers’ unions. There is no law that governs their formation or provides a framework for unified advocacy,” he stated.
He revealed that government is actively working on a Cooperative Bill aimed at providing an umbrella framework to streamline and support the operations of all agricultural associations in the country. He pointed out that once this legislation is in place, groups such as tomato and rice farmers’ associations would naturally fall under a central body like GNAFF, thereby strengthening advocacy and representation efforts.
Reflecting on past engagements, Dr. Otokunor noted that during the preparation of the government’s manifesto ahead of the last elections, the team reached out to GNAFF to understand the challenges the association faced. “I had the opportunity to learn why the organization had been neglected. The concerns were genuine, without government collaboration, such associations become ineffective,” he said.
He assured the GNAFF executives of government’s commitment to reviving and supporting the association. “We are discussing ways to get the Cooperative Bill in place, and GNAFF will be a key stakeholder in this process. While the legislative process is ongoing, it is crucial that the organization becomes more proactive and strengthens its collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,” he advised.
Highlighting the transformation in the agriculture sector, Dr. Otokunor stressed the need for GNAFF to adapt to modern trends. “Agriculture has evolved. We have moved from manual and mechanized agriculture to digital, technology-driven systems. Associations like GNAFF must embrace these changes and adopt more sophisticated tools for mobilizing and engaging farmers,” he urged.
Dr. Otokunor concluded by assuring the executives of government’s full support, describing GNAFF as a key partner in Ghana’s agricultural development. “Gone are the days when you spoke about farmers in Ghana and didn’t mention GNAFF. We believe there is still a way to restore the strength of this organization, and we are committed to walking that path together.”
In response, the Vice Chairman of GNAFF, Mr. Emmanuel Annan-Akoto, expressed satisfaction with the renewed recognition of the association by government. He commended the government’s efforts and called for continued support to empower the association to unite all farmers and fishermen across the country. “With the right backing, GNAFF can play a crucial role in transforming the agricultural sector and ensuring national food security. It is time to change the narrative and work collectively toward a sustainable agriculture sector,” he said.