The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has called on government to ensure that the newly launched Feed Ghana Initiative remains free from political interference.
The association fears that undue political involvement, as witnessed in the second phase of the previous Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Programme, could undermine the success of the new initiative.
The Feed Ghana Initiative launched on April 12, is a key component of the government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda.
The initiative seeks to create jobs, reduce food inflation, and promote agro-industrial growth.
Unlike the PFJ Programme, which shifted from input subsidies to a smart input credit system linked to structured markets, the Feed Ghana Initiative promises a more integrated and market-driven approach.
PFAG’s Executive Director, Bismark Nortey, has emphasized the need for professional management of the programme, urging the government to allow agricultural experts at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to lead its implementation.
“Now that we’ve transitioned from PFJ to Feed Ghana, we must avoid the mistakes of the past. Political interference must be completely ruled out”.
He reiterated the ministry’s commitment of managing the programme with its competent staff.
“MoFA has competent technical staff at the national, regional, and district levels who are capable of managing this programme effectively. Let’s allow them to lead. Politicians should take a step back.”
PFAG strongly believes that empowering technical experts rather than political appointees is crucial for the sustainability of Ghana’s agricultural policies.
The association warns that if political influence is not kept in check, farmers may struggle to reap the full benefits of the Feed Ghana Initiative.
