Farmers’ Day must lead to structural reform, not ceremony — GAWU warns

The General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) of the Trades Union Congress has renewed its demand for the establishment of a Ghana Agricultural Service, warning that the annual Farmers’ Day celebration risks losing its true meaning without a permanent professional structure to anchor agricultural development.

In an exclusive interview marking the 2025 Farmers’ Day celebration on Friday, December 5, GAWU leadership described the day as a moment of national honour for citizens “whose efforts and hard work feed our nation.” They noted that farmers continue to sustain Ghana’s economy despite unpredictable weather patterns, unstable markets, and high production costs.

However, the Union stressed that ceremony without reform is not enough.

“Farmers’ Day is meaningful, but it cannot transform the sector on its own. Without a Ghana Agricultural Service, the impact will remain short-lived,” a GAWU spokesperson stated.

Government Interventions Acknowledged — But Not Enough

During the interview, GAWU acknowledged several government initiatives, including the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA), expanded mechanisation programmes, irrigation support and renewed emphasis on domestic production. These interventions, they said, demonstrate rising political commitment to food security and youth interest in agriculture.

But the Union maintained that the absence of a permanent service structure weakens continuity, accountability and research-led policy direction.

Why GAWU Says a Ghana Agricultural Service Is Urgent

The Union explained that a Ghana Agricultural Service — similar in structure to the Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service — would create a unified system to oversee:

• policy formulation
• agricultural extension services
• research coordination
• nationwide implementation of agricultural programmes

Such a system, they argued, would ensure that the expertise and lived experiences of agricultural workers directly shape national policy.

Critical Gaps the New Service Must Address

GAWU highlighted a number of longstanding problems, beginning with Ghana’s severe shortage of agricultural extension officers.

The spokesperson revealed that one extension officer currently serves about 1,500 farmers, falling far below the international standard of 1:500.

“The deficit persists despite our universities producing qualified graduates in agronomy, crop science, horticulture and other fields. We cannot modernise agriculture without adequate frontline professionals,” the Union emphasised.

The Union also called for urgent recapitalisation of COCOBOD, warning that the cocoa sector remains under pressure due to heavy debt and weakened investment flows.

A stronger COCOBOD, they insisted, is essential for improving yields, boosting value-addition and protecting the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.

Call to Revive Horticulture Research Institute

GAWU urged government to revisit the 2013 approval for the establishment of a national Horticulture Research Institute under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

They argued that Ghana lacks the research infrastructure needed to fully tap into the rapidly growing horticulture sector.

A dedicated institute, they said, would drive innovation, diversify exports and expand opportunities for fruits, vegetables and other high-value tree crops.

Farmers’ Day Must Do More Than Celebrate

GAWU concluded the interview by stressing that Farmers’ Day must inspire a deeper national commitment to agricultural transformation:

“If we truly want to secure the future, we must secure the people who feed the nation.”

They also paid special tribute to women in agriculture, reaffirming their commitment to advocacy for their safety, rights and leadership across the agricultural value chain.