The President of the Concerned Farmers Association, Nana Oboadie Bonsu, has raised concerns about the government’s failure to collect accurate data on farmers in Ghana, arguing that this deficiency leads to ineffective policy implementation.
He emphasized that without a clear understanding of the number of farmers in the country, it is impossible for policymakers to allocate resources effectively or implement strategies that genuinely support the sector.
According to Nana Oboadie Bonsu, the lack of proper data affects the distribution of essential farming inputs such as fertilizers.
He questioned the transparency of the allocation process, noting that fertilizers often fail to reach the intended beneficiaries.
“When the fertilizer comes around, where does it go? Who are they going to give the fertilizers to? At the end of the day, the government doesn’t even know the number of farmers in the country.”
He suggested that government maintains a precise record of farmers, making it easier to determine how much funding and resources are required to support agricultural initiatives.
He also addressed the issue of youth involvement in agriculture, recalling former President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to encouraging young people to participate in farming.
While acknowledging the government’s recent budget allocation for infrastructure, he expressed uncertainty about whether provisions had been made specifically for housing within farming communities,
arguing that without accommodation, efforts to encourage urban youth to migrate to rural areas for farming would be ineffective.
Nana Oboadie Bonsu highlighted an ongoing initiative by the Concerned Farmers Association, called the “Back to the Village” campaign, which aims to develop farming communities by constructing housing facilities.
He noted that some traditional leaders have already allocated land for this purpose, but additional government support is necessary to make the project viable.
He questioned whether the budget includes funding for such housing projects, hammering that young people will only be motivated to relocate if they have a secure place to stay.
Beyond the government’s shortcomings, Nana Oboadie Bonsu criticized the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), stating that it has failed in its mandate to support farmers.
He argued that the bank, in its current form, does not serve the needs of farmers and should be rebranded as the “Farmers Bank” to reflect its true purpose.
He lamented that farmers struggle to access capital despite ADB’s stated mission to promote agricultural growth.
Recalling his own experiences as a young entrepreneur, Nana Oboadie Bonsu recounted how he won an award in 2011 for his work in food packaging and processing.
Despite this recognition, he claimed he never received the necessary financial support to expand his business.
He expressed frustration over repeated government programs aimed at assisting young entrepreneurs, noting that many of these initiatives fail to deliver tangible results.
He also revealed that foreign investors had approached him with offers to relocate his business outside Ghana to train people in other countries.
While this presents an opportunity, he sees it as a failure of the Ghanaian system that local talents are not adequately supported.
Displaying one of his packaged food products, he emphasized the potential of Ghanaian entrepreneurs if given the right financial backing.
The Need for a Dedicated Farmers’ Bank:
Nana Oboadie Bonsu reiterated his call for the establishment of a dedicated farmers’ bank, similar to the Women’s Bank, to ensure targeted financial support for agricultural activities, emphasizing that interest rates for farmers should be kept at single digits to make borrowing more affordable and encourage investment in the sector.
He said access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers to agricultural development, and addressing this issue is key to revitalizing the industry.
As Ghana looks to improve food security and reduce its dependence on imports, Nana Oboadie Bonsu’s concerns highlight the urgent need for structural reforms in the agricultural sector.
Without accurate data, targeted support, and a more farmer-friendly financial system, the country risks missing out on the full potential of its agricultural resources.
“The problem is not that young people are lazy. They just don’t have the right support,” he concluded.
To him, the government’s commitment to addressing these issues will determine the future of Ghana’s farming industry and its ability to sustain long-term growth.