Accra, Ghana – The General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) has called on the government to establish a Ghana Agricultural Service to drive policy formulation, extension, research, and implementation in the agricultural sector.
In a statement released on the occasion of the 2025 Farmers’ Day celebration, GAWU emphasized that the establishment of a Ghana Agricultural Service is crucial for ensuring food security, local production, and sustainable livelihoods for farmers.
The union commended the government for initiatives such as the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA) but stressed that more needs to be done to support farmers.
GAWU highlighted the challenges facing the agricultural sector, including a shortage of extension officers, with one officer currently serving an estimated 1,500 farmers, far exceeding the international standard of 1:500.
The union also called for the recapitalization of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to support cocoa farmers and the establishment of a national Horticulture Research Institute to drive innovation and improve yields.
“Farmers’ Day should not be a mere annual celebration but a reminder of our commitment to building a strong, modern, and inclusive agricultural sector,” said Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, General Secretary of GAWU.
The union paid tribute to women in agriculture, acknowledging their contributions to the sector and pledging to continue fighting for their rights and empowerment.
The 2025 Farmers’ Day celebration is themed “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
