The National President of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Mr. Awal Adugwala, is pushing for long term solutions to the country’s farming challenges instead of reactive measures. While he praised government for committing GH¢8 billion to combat the drought in the northern parts of the country and provide relief to affected communities, Mr. Adugwala emphasized the need for long-term solutions to address the fundamental issues facing agriculture in the country.
In an interview with The High Street Journal, Mr. Adugwala acknowledged that the government’s intervention would benefit farming communities, farmers, and the nation as a whole. However, he underscored the importance of tackling the root causes of these problems, particularly as the droughts affecting the region are a consequence of climate change, which is likely to persist.
Mr. Adugwala said the ongoing drought has led to total crop failure, and he supported the idea of compensating farmers to help them recover from their losses. When asked about the potential impact of the government’s intervention on market prices, he expressed hope that the measures would help stabilize food prices. He also stressed the importance of proper stakeholder consultation before implementing policies such as the ban on exporting grains, which would have provided farmers with clearer expectations.
The drought, which has severely impacted the northern regions, is a significant concern, as this area accounts for approximately 62% of Ghana’s grain production. The lack of rain over the past two months has highlighted the urgent need for attention from all stakeholders.
Mr. Adugwala called on the government to develop comprehensive measures to address droughts, including ensuring the proper engineering of dams, as food security remains a national priority.
Of the GH¢8 billion allocated for crisis response, GH¢2.5 billion will come from the contingency fund, with an additional GH¢2.4 billion sourced from development partners.
