The Ghana Federation of Forest and Farm Producers (GhaFFaP) has urged the government to create an enabling environment that allows smallholder farmers to benefit from agricultural policies.
The call is rooted in the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, who are often vulnerable and struggle to access government’s social interventions.
According to Madam Alima Sagito Saeed, the immediate past National President of the Federation, the organization has been working with ministries and agencies under the agriculture and forestry sectors to support producer organizations and drive policy changes.
Addressing the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Federation in Kumasi, she noted that with responsive policies, smallholder farmers can sustainably use forest and farm products to improve their lives and contribute to the country’s economic growth and food security.
To support smallholder farmers, the government has initiated programs like the Feed Ghana programme, which aims to modernize agriculture, boost food security, and support Ghana’s economic transformation.
GhaFFaP believes an enabling environment and implementation of supportive policies can help smallholder farmers benefit from agricultural policies.
The Forest and farm facility (FFF) country Coach, Sophie Grouwels, says the United Nations supports forest and farm producers in Ghana to improve their livelihoods, build resilience and manage natural resources sustainably through farmer-led action and policy engagement.
The Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) is a multiple-partnership trust fund between the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Agricord.
The 4th GhaFFaP AGM was held under the theme: “Renewed commitment to sustainable Forest and farm livelihoods: advancing inclusive polices and accountability in changing Ghana”.
The meeting produced new executives including Dr. Boadu Ayeboafo, President; Ernestina Owusu Banahene, Vice President; Maxwell Kpetaa, Secretary; Yaa Amankwa, Vice Secretary; Charles Oduro, Financial Secretary; and Cephas Kwaw Appiah Kumi, Vice Financial Secretary.
The National Women Champions leader is Esther Awuni and the National Youth Champion Leader is Midas Bambilla.
The new President of GHaFFap, Dr Boadu Ayeboafo, called on the government to put up more effort to combat illegal mining in the country’s forest reserve.