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The PRO of the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF), Nana Oboadie Opambuor Bonsu, has counselled the government to set up farm complexes to complement the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative.
He indicated that the ‘farm complex’ initiative would boost the agricultural fortunes of the country and help resolve unemployment challenges confronting the teeming youth.
Explaining the concept of ‘farming complex’, he said “it is a system where the government sets up accommodation for the youth interested in farming. These individuals are catered for in terms of feeding and given farming plots as well as farm implements to work with. At the end of their harvest government pays them and deducts all expenditure including; their rent, food and other expenses throughout their stay”.
This, he believes will attract many unemployed youths into the sector and reduce the ‘choked’ system in Urban centres like Accra and Kumasi where unemployment is rife with people seeking greener pasture.
“Ghana is an agricultural-based economy but we are just not serious about taking measures to reap benefits from our Agric prospects. Ghana is like heaven and should have been the best place to live on the planet provided leadership together with the people were serious about making the most out of our natural resources and serene environment because a lot of people fancy abroad but the truth is there is nothing better out there,” he said on Angel FM’s Anopa Bofo Morning Show.
Additionally, Nana Oboadie Bonsu recounted that in previous years the agric sector was booming and the nation recorded high surpluses but that has ceased due to the advent of climate change.
He however stated that Ghana is surrounded by numerous water sources and should not have a farming system that is hampered by climatic conditions.
“You would have seen maize growing beautifully in some parts but now you don’t see that anymore due to climate change but that shouldn’t be. Since we are all surrounded by water so why complain about lack of water for irrigation purposes. If government had cared to consult us he wouldn’t have gone ahead with the one village, one dam policy. What is needed is connectivity from water sources to farms for irrigation.”
“Farming is business and you need to pay your bills and so the water you would use to irrigate you have to pay for and that won’t amount to much because all you need is light. We have so many jobless plumbers in Accra selling dog chains who could have been gainfully employed to connect farming communities to water sources and be well paid,” he said in Twi.
Describing Ghana as heaven, he opined that “there are plenty tubers, fruits and nuts you can easily harvest and eat in dire cases of hunger but you can’t get such opportunities in other countries. When we talk of ‘land of opportunities, it is not America, UK or London, it is Ghana here. The whites have nothing and we can bear testimony to that.”
He cited the example of a young man who built a plush house for himself and made a good living from grasscutter rearing in Ghana but lacked that opportunity while staying abroad.
The GNAFF PRO, who doubles as President of the Concerned Farmers Association, accused Parliamentarians of not taking decisive action to support the agriculture sector.
“When has Parliament ever raised any serious issue regarding farming in this country? Cocoa plantations have been destroyed and that is the backbone of our economy but not a word was said but when the issue of LGBTQI+ came they were all rushing to make an input,” he queried.
He also called on the government to do more and consult with farmers to boost the agricultural gains of Ghana.
