The visit comes as the nation approaches the 2024 general elections, a time when calls for peaceful coexistence and harmony are more crucial than ever.

In the bustling heart of London, the King humbly joined hundreds of worshippers at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, engaging in prayer for Ghana’s peace before, during, and after the upcoming elections.

Baitul Futuh, a landmark of faith and multicultural harmony, is one of the most respected religious institutions in the UK, known for welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds.

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II’s visit signifies a powerful symbol of solidarity, showing that peace transcends borders and faiths.

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II’s visit to the UK is part of his broader mission to strengthen bonds with the Ga-Dangbe diaspora and to celebrate the Grand Hɔmɔwɔ festival, which took place on October 26 in London.

During this landmark visit, the King has engaged with leaders, communities, and citizens, each encounter reinforcing his vision for unity among Ghanaians across the globe.

At Baitul Futuh, the King was warmly received by mosque leaders and joined in a special prayer session dedicated to Ghana’s peace.

In his brief remarks, the King emphasised the importance of unity and the value of peaceful dialogue as essential pillars for development.

He expressed his hope that Ghanaians would come together to ensure a smooth election period, regardless of political or social differences.

“As a father to all Ga-Dangbe and Ghanaians at large, I carry a deep responsibility for my people,” he said.

“Our shared future depends on how we come together, respecting one another and choosing peace over division. Let us all pray and work toward a Ghana that continues to thrive in unity.”

This is not the first time King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II has demonstrated a strong commitment to peaceful initiatives. Since his enstoolment, he has championed numerous causes to empower marginalised communities, support education, and foster cultural pride among Ga-Dangbe youth.

In Ghana, his leadership has contributed significantly to initiatives for development in health, education, and employment, creating a legacy of hope for future generations.

His recent outreach through the Ga Mantse Foundation, including scholarships and health insurance support, has further deepened his role as a compassionate leader.

His presence at the mosque serves as a unifying message for Ghanaians worldwide, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity and peace across religious and social divides.

This gesture has already resonated with Ghanaians both in the diaspora and at home, many of whom expressed deep respect and admiration for the King’s ability to lead by example.

The King’s visit to the UK also aligns with his dedication to promoting Ga-Dangbe culture on a global scale, ensuring that Ga traditions are celebrated and preserved for future generations.

This cultural pride, combined with his commitment to peace and unity, cements King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II as a respected leader for his people.

As Ghana moves toward the 2024 elections, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II’s call for peace stands as a beacon of hope. His actions remind us all that the strength of a nation lies in its ability to remain united, respectful, and resilient in times of challenge.

His Royal Majesty’s visit to the Baitul Futuh Mosque is a reminder of our shared humanity and the power of collective prayer in building a peaceful future.

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The National President of the Association, Wepia Awal Addo, said the situation is worrying since the planting season is very close. He added that farmers are uncertain about their future, as they do not have an idea where and when to receive farm inputs such as fertilisers and seeds.

“As of June, around 80 per cent of the farmers have not been registered and their farms have not been mapped. This is a source of worry for us because the rainy season has started. If you go to many places people are planting and they need the inputs to be able to grow food.” Mr. Addo said.

He made the revelation when the PFAG, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), hosted a national validation workshop for the assessment report on the implementation of the PFJ 2.0 on July 17, 2024 in Accra.

Mr Addo said there appears to be a lack of interest in farmers’ welfare, particularly as farmers are not provided with any information to aid in planning.

Describing the PFJ Phase II as uninspiring, he stated that the agriculture sector has been neglected with no direct investment to farmers.

Mr. Addo pointed out for example that plans to expand irrigation projects and improve road networks have been left unattended to.

Purpose of the PFAG II

The Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II (PFJ 2.0) was launched by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in response to the challenges encountered during the programme’s initial phase.

The challenges included limited access to agricultural credit, insufficient adoption of the value chain approach, budgetary constraints on the government, and low prioritization of national food storage capacity.

Furthermore, issues such as smuggling, rent-seeking, and corruption were highlighted by PFAG’s annual assessment reports, leading to a significant call for a review of the programme.

The PFJ 2.0 aims to modernize the agricultural sector through the development of selected agricultural value chains for food crops while promoting private sector participation.

This shift from direct input subsidy to a smart agriculture input credit system is designed to enhance food security, resilience, and export potential. The programme also seeks to create jobs among agriculture value chain actors.

The national validation workshop aims to validate the findings from these consultations and ensure that stakeholder feedback is incorporated into the final assessment report. The workshop featured presentations on the assessment findings, panel discussions, and interactive sessions to discuss and refine the recommendations.

The roll-out of PFJ 2.0 began in March 2024 with a registration process announced by the sector Minister.

Despite the commencement, concerns have been raised about the timing, design, and implementation of the programme. The reliance on anchor farmers or aggregators for input and service provision, minimal central government involvement, and the late registration process have been points of contention among stakeholders.

In response, PFAG, with support from OXFAM, has undertaken an assessment of PFJ 2.0 to identify emerging issues, roll-out gaps, and propose solutions for maximizing programme output. Two stakeholder consultation workshops have been conducted in Tamale and Techiman, engaging farmers, input dealers, agricultural directors, and other relevant stakeholders from the Northern, Upper West, Upper East, North East, Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono, and Bono East regions. These consultations served to gather insights, sensitize farmers, and provide a platform for stakeholders to engage with the Ministry on emerging issues.

About the Programme

“Sustainable Employment through Agribusiness (AgriBiz) in Ghana”.

The programme “Sustainable Employment through Agribusiness (AgriBiz) in Ghana” was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Running from April 2021 until December 2025, the programme operates nationwide with a strong focus on promoting dynamic micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), both formal and informal, along with their Member Based Business Organizations (MBBOs) and business development service (BDS) providers.

The programme aims to strengthen the capacities of MSMEs and their associations to enable the private sector to create productive employment in the agribusiness sector.