506 Feed Ghana Brigadiers Deployed to Support Food Security
A total of 506 Feed Ghana Brigadiers, trained agricultural officers with advanced qualifications in agriculture, have been deployed across the country to support efforts aimed at resetting Ghana’s agricultural sector and strengthening food security.
The Brigadiers, who received intensive training at the Ghana Police Training School and were equipped with motorbikes for field operations, were officially passed out at a ceremony attended by key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, described the Brigadiers as the emergence of a new national force dedicated to agricultural transformation under the Feed Ghana Programme.
According to the Minister, the success of the programme depends on officers who demonstrate punctuality, accountability, discipline, physical and mental fitness, and a strong commitment to serving farmers across all districts of the country.
“Agriculture itself requires discipline. A farmer cannot plant at the wrong time and expect the right harvest. A livestock farmer cannot neglect feeding and healthcare and expect productivity. A coordinator cannot submit false reports and expect successful implementation. A brigadier cannot abandon the field and expect transformation,” he stated.
Hon. Eric Opoku commended the Ghana Police Service for its role in training the Brigadiers, noting that the exercise helped to instil discipline, order, punctuality, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility among the officers.
Addressing concerns about why the Brigadiers were trained at the Ghana Police Training School instead of agricultural colleges, the Minister explained that the decision was deliberate to develop discipline, resilience, teamwork, respect for authority, and the ability to operate effectively under challenging field conditions.
He assured the Brigadiers of the Ministry’s commitment to providing them with the necessary operational and technical guidance, including the objectives of the Feed Ghana Programme, implementation strategies, and their specific responsibilities at the district level.
The Minister charged the officers to serve as ambassadors of agricultural production, hard work, discipline, and national renewal. However, he cautioned them against disregarding the authority of District Agriculture Directors.
“The District Director of Agriculture remains the head of the Ministry’s operations at the district level, and I expect every Coordinator to respect that authority and work within the established chain of command. Success will come through cooperation, not competition; coordination, not duplication; and teamwork, not parallel structures,” he advised.
He urged the Brigadiers to remain humble and serve farmers while strengthening the existing agricultural system rather than replacing it. He encouraged them to work closely with District Directors and extension officers to ensure the effective, professional, and successful implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme.
“My dear Brigadiers, you are stepping into your roles at a defining moment. The country, farmers, the government, families, and above all, Ghana, expect much from you. You must therefore serve with humility, discipline, honesty, patriotism, and urgency,” he told them.
The newly deployed Brigadiers are expected to work in various districts across Ghana, using their training and resources to support agricultural production, improve coordination, and contribute to the nation’s food security agenda.
