GAWU calls for agricultural master plan
By Isaac AIDOO, Accra
The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has issued a clarion call for the formulation of a comprehensive agricultural master plan that addresses Ghana’s burgeoning population and its increasing demand for food, while also catering to the country’s industrial requirements.
In an interview with The New Finder, Mr. Edward Kareweh, the General Secretary of the Union, underscored the necessity of a robust master plan if Ghana is to earnestly pursue agricultural processing and value addition initiatives.
He emphasized that the current state of agriculture in Ghana reflects a significant policy failure, citing the absence of essential infrastructure and support mechanisms at the national level.
According to Mr. Kareweh, individual farmers should not bear the burden of sourcing irrigation for their farms; instead, national-level initiatives should assume responsibility for agricultural irrigation.
A well-defined master plan, he proposed, should outline the entire supply chain, serving as a blueprint to guide both government and private sector investments throughout the agricultural value chain.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the National Food Buffer Stock Company due to resource constraints, Mr. Kareweh stressed the critical importance of proper storage facilities, particularly in support of the government’s industrialization agenda such as the One District, One Factory (1D, 1F) initiative.
However, he lamented the lack of policy coordination, which has hindered effective storage of produce and raw materials.
Highlighting the repercussions of inadequate policy implementation, Mr. Kareweh urged the government to demonstrate unwavering commitment to executing policies rather than merely proposing ideas.
He emphasized that governance entails more than just formulating policies; it requires dedicated efforts to implement and follow through on those policies to address the pressing challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
In essence, GAWU’s appeal underscores the urgent need for cohesive and proactive measures to revitalize Ghana’s agricultural sector, ensuring food security, promoting industrialization, and ultimately fostering sustainable economic development.
