A new regional executive committee of the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) has been elected and sworn in to steer the association’s affairs in the Upper East Region.
They were elected during the 8th regional congress held in Bolgatanga, which formed part of efforts to reorganise, reposition and rebrand the association that had gone down for some years due to managerial inefficiencies.
The new executive is chaired by Mohammed Shaibu, with Juliana Akunseka as Vice-Chairman. Others are Regional Secretary, Dr Bismark A. A. Achimah; Regional Organiser, Prosper A. Ayangbah and Financial Secretary, Justice Akolbila Aniah.
The rest are Treasurer, Saeed Jafar M., Women’s Organiser, Felicia Ayamga and Youth Organiser, Aguri Abdul-Rahman Mohammed.
GNAFF is a constitutionally mandated body established in 1992 to make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of the agricultural sector, as well as champion the welfare of farmers.
However, with time, the association encountered some difficulties that made it unattractive, resulting in its near collapse. Fortunately, since 2024, attempts have been made to mobilise 1,827 executive officers across the 261 districts towards the revitalisation of the association.
Swearing in the leadership, the Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Alhaji Fuseini Zakaria, said climate change was one of the factors militating against agriculture production in the country.
He said, “It is, therefore, critical for a collective measure to be instituted to counter such a catastrophic phenomenon to improve food security,” and added that an association such as GNAFF has a huge role to play in championing policies and interventions to tackle climate change.
He indicated that although GNAFF should have taken the lead to champion the recently launched Feed Ghana Programme, it is, however, being championed by the Peasant Farmers Association (PFAG), a subset of GNAFF.
He mentioned that all was not lost as they can still play a pivotal role by mobilising their members and other farmers to take advantage of the programme to contribute to food production in the country.
While congratulating the new GNAFF leadership, he pledged his full support to them in their quest to improve food production in the country.
Relevant
A consultant to the association, Francis Opai Tetteh, said the rationale behind the event was to reorganise the association and make it relevant again in the scheme of things, especially to improve the welfare of farmers.
He indicated that the mandate of GNAFF was to attend to the welfare of farmers by ensuring that they are paid what is due to them after sending their respective farm produce to market centres for sale.
“This association is exclusively interested in the farmer’s welfare, particularly their retirement, education, training and health, as well as other support that will improve their lives,” Mr Tetteh indicated.
In an address, Mr Shaibu, on behalf of the new leadership, pledged to work in alignment with the national vision towards elevating the lives of farmers and fisher folks in the region, as well as open their doors to every voice to better the agricultural sector.
Additionally, he promised to push for access to timely and affordable inputs and machinery, farmers’ training in modern techniques, ready market and fair prices and support for agripreneurs, especially women, youth among others.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
