The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has called on government and stakeholders to intensify education on agricultural insurance, describing it as a crucial safety net for Ghana’s farmers.
Dr. Agyemang, also an insurance expert, emphasised that while some insurance companies already provide agricultural pool policies, awareness and patronage among farmers remain extremely low.
He explained that in the absence of insurance coverage, disasters such as droughts, floods, bushfires, bird flu outbreaks, and livestock diseases have repeatedly wiped out years of farmers’ hard work, leaving them with no form of compensation.
“With proper awareness and uptake of insurance, government would not have to bear the heavy financial burden of compensating farmers, as was the case during the 2024 drought and livestock disease outbreaks,” he stressed.
Dr. Agyemang urged farmer groups, including peasant, cocoa, fish, and pig farmers to see agricultural insurance as a vital component of their farming operations.
He also appealed to government to lead a nationwide education campaign, particularly targeting cocoa-growing communities, where farms remain exposed to climate and disease risks.
“Over the years, cocoa has been the backbone of Ghana’s economy, yet government has not shown enough interest in ensuring all cocoa farms are insured.
This must change if we are to avoid dire consequences in the event of future disasters,” he cautioned.
The lawmaker added that prioritising agricultural insurance is essential for building resilience in the sector, securing livelihoods, and protecting the national economy.
He called on both policymakers and farmers to make agricultural insurance a top priority in Ghana’s agricultural development strategy.
