The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana is calling on government to introduce a nationwide framework requiring farmers to undergo formal training, certification, and licensing before operating, arguing that agriculture must be treated as a professional discipline.
The Association warns that the unregulated use of harmful chemicals and outdated farming practices is posing serious public health risks and threatening Ghana’s credibility in international markets. Contaminated produce, they caution, could trigger export bans and hurt the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Speaking in an interview, the association’s President Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu underscored agriculture’s vital role in Ghana’s economy, contributing billions of cedis annually and employing a large share of the workforce.
“Farming is a profession like medicine, teaching, or law. Just as professionals like lawyers or doctors require licenses and training, farmers should receive proper training and licensing to operate,” he stressed.
The group believes that with structured training and a clear regulatory framework, unsafe practices can be reduced, productivity improved, and consumers better protected. Such a system, they argue, would also position Ghana’s agricultural exports to meet stringent international standards, safeguarding market access and strengthening the sector’s long-term sustainability.
