The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has expressed disappointment in the government’s interest in promoting the agenda of multinational seed companies in Ghana, following the recent approval of the commercialization of 14 novel Genetically Modified (GM) products. These products comprise eight maize and six soya bean varieties.
The association’s stance was articulated in a press release signed by the national president, Wepia Addo Awal Adugwala, dated April 9, 2024.
The association highlighted that the government’s decision to approve GM crops contradicts a previous promise made by the Minister for Food and Agriculture in 2020.
The Minister had stated that Ghana had capable scientists who could produce high-yielding varieties and disease-resistant plants using traditional breeding methods, thereby obviating the need for GMOs in the country for the next 100 years.
The release reiterated the association’s argument that Ghanaian farmers have been able to produce significant amounts of food using farmer-saved seeds and new seed varieties from local breeders.
They emphasized that the challenges faced by farmers, such as climate change, lack of mechanization, difficulty accessing finance, high post-harvest losses, and increasing input costs, should be the focus of government and scientists, rather than promoting GMOs.
The president of the Peasant Farmers Association warned of the dire consequences of approving GMOs, stating that it would lead to the loss of Ghana’s control over its indigenous agricultural system, placing it in the hands of multinational companies.
The association expressed concern that GM seeds would be expensive, leading to increased costs for farmers who would have to purchase seeds every season.
Additionally, they highlighted that the approval of the Plant Variety Protection Act could jeopardize the culture of farmer-saved and exchanged seeds.
The Association, therefore, urges the government and Ministry of Food Agriculture not to include GM varieties in the inputs that would be supplied under the PFJ 2.0. Also, the association calls on its members to reject any GMO seeds that will be supplied by any company, individual, or government.
Cocoa farmers across Ghana are expressing frustration in response to the recent announcement of new farmgate prices for cocoa beans.
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) announced a 58.26 percent increase, setting the price at GH¢33,120 cedis per ton for the 2023/2024 crop season.
This decision, according to COCOBOD, aims to distribute the benefits of soaring global cocoa prices and discourage the smuggling of cocoa beans.
However, the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association has voiced strong opposition to the increase, stating it is inadequate.
President of the association, Stephenson Anane Boateng asserts that cocoa farmers are being unfairly treated.
“Cocoa has been raised globally to $10,000 per metric ton. So if you compare, and you convert to our currency, it is running into over GH¢9,000. We totally disagree with them. We pay our labour, we buy inputs for the farm, and then we also pay ourselves.
“So in a nutshell, we get only GH¢600 for that while COCOBOD also gets GH¢7,000. So what work did COCOBOD do and give us that money? It’s an insult!”
The Ghana National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has approved the commercialization of 14 novel genetically modified (GM) products, comprising eight maize and six soybean products.
This decision marks a significant milestone in the country’s strategic utilization of biotechnology to enhance its agricultural sector, catering to local food demands, nutrition requirements, and potential exports.
The NBA’s approval extends to the use of these GM products in various sectors, including food, feed, and industrial applications, underlining the versatility and potential impact of these advancements. This move aligns with Ghana’s broader agenda to harness biotechnology responsibly for sustainable agricultural development and economic growth.
Notably, this latest decision follows a previous milestone in 2022 when the NBA authorized the environmental release of GM cowpea resistant to the destructive Maruca pod borer. This pest, known to ravage over 50 percent of cowpea pods without control measures, presents a significant challenge to traditional farming practices. In contrast, the GM cowpea requires minimal chemical treatments, representing a promising solution for farmers and enhancing crop resilience.
A report by the United States Department of Agriculture praised Ghana for continuing “to demonstrate its conviction that proven science-based advanced technologies remain viable options in the global efforts to achieve food security in the face of various production constraints like climate change”.
“Though coming four months later than anticipated, by authorizing the commercialization of 14 new biotechnology events in late February 2024, Ghana, again made a significant stride towards lending credence to its growing popularity as a leading nation in Sub-Saharan Africa that aligns its policies with proven science. Ghana’s decision is welcomed by the global scientific community and is expected to enhance trade and impact food security positively,” the report said.
The Minority in Parliament has acknowledged recent shifts in the international cocoa market, particularly regarding price fluctuations.
In a press statement signed by Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, Eric Opoku, the Minority highlighted that global cocoa prices have surged, reaching an unprecedented peak of $10,000 per ton.
The Minority stated that the surge in cocoa prices on the world market, primarily stem from a substantial decrease in cocoa output in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
“The NDC is deeply concerned about the sharp decline in Ghana’s cocoa production volumes under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government. This situation is set to get even worse, as Ghana’s cocoa production for the 2023–2024 crop season is reported to be about 450,000 metric tons, the lowest in the past two decades.
The statement further said that the average international market price of cocoa is currently $10,000 per ton (equivalent to approximately GH₵130,000 per ton, based on a conservative exchange rate of $1 to GH₵13).
“This means that a bag of cocoa is currently being sold on the world market at about GH₵8,125, while the Ghanaian farmer is being paid a paltry GH₵1,308 by the insensitive and corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.
This is a clear rip-off of our hard-working cocoa farmers by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government, who continue to mismanage the cocoa sector.”
Youth are the machinery for national development and In quest of national development, it is critical to develop their capabilities in all the sector of the economy, especially, in aquaculture.
The CEO of the Chamber of Aquaculture, Mr. Jacob Adzikah revealed this during the launch of the 2024 aquaculture exhibition at Accra.
Speaking to the theme “Stakeholders collaborations: A key to building a resilient Aquaculture industry,” the CEO of the Chamber stated that the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana has the youth at heart and has established the start-up arena, where all young men and women will be assembled to showcase their potentials in the aquaculture sector.
This according to him, would aid in shaping and guiding the potentials embed in the youth. The industry need the young individuals to thrive it in the expense of the aged and such exhibition relevant to converge the youth under one umbrella for capacity building to the nation building.
Talking about the exhibition, he mentioned that the Aquaculture exhibition is scheduled to take place from May 30 to May 31 this year at the World Trade Center in Accra.
He indicated that the goal is to provide a forum for aquaculture practitioners to build the capability of the youth, network, showcase, and educate stakeholders on modern trends to promote aquaculture sector.
He assured that aquaculture 2024 will be impactful and engaging, featuring all stakeholders not limited to fish farmers, rather in academia, feed producers, researchers, food vendors, media, financial and insurance institutions.
He again said that such events help the chamber appreciate personalities and institutions doing well in the aquaculture sector.
The CEO also indicated that the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana will present eighteen awards to individuals and organizations that have worked tirelessly to ensure the industry grows, despite all the hurdles confronting the industry, including the recent dam spillage that caused many people to lose their jobs.
He also said that there is less collaboration among stakeholders within the aquaculture sector and that this year’s event will bridge that gap.
Adding his voice to the launch was the Director of Research at MoFAD, Mr. Ishmael Nii Adjei Browne, who indicated that the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development acknowledges the role of sustainable aquaculture in alleviating pressure on wild fish stocks.
He further said that aquaculture is the vehicle to bridge the gap between escalating fish demand and the nation’s natural resources.
He urged financial institutions to invest in aquaculture, stating that it will be successful. He again said that there should be a partnership with international organizations and government which will help the aquaculture sector thrive.
Also echoing what was being said was the CEO of Aquatic Foods, Mrs. Mabel Quarshie, who also asserted that Aquaculture Ghana includes everyone affected by a decision, as she classified Ghana’s aquaculture as having different groups involved in the value chain.
She indicated that they do their things without the involvement of others within the value chain, which is impeding the progress of the chamber.
She therefore questioned the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as to the reasons why aquaculture wasn’t featured in the planting for foods and jobs phase two. “Where is the rearing for foods and jobs?” she questioned.
Mrs. Mabel Quarshie mentioned that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and policymakers did not consider the aquaculture sector when thinking through the prospects of phase two of the planting for foods and jobs and urged them to consider aquaculture.
The launch of Aquaculture Ghana 2024 event featured distinguished speakers like Hon. Moses Anim, MP, Former Deputy Minister at MoFAD, Mr. Wisdom Abodakpi, CEO of Cycle Farms, Mr. Jacob Adzikah, CEO of the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana, Mr. Ishmael Nii Adjei Browne, Director of Research at MoFAD, Mr. Naga Murali, CEO of Fish and Feed Limited, Mrs. Mabel Quarshie, CEO of Aquatic Foods, Dr. Cudjoe Kofitsyo, Mr. Fred Kwasi Antwi-Boadu, Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, and Professor Francis Nunoo, Chairman of the Board of Fisheries Commission.
A shortage of cocoa beans has led to a near shutdown of processing plants in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the two countries responsible for 60% of global production.
With chocolate makers around the world reliant on West Africa for cocoa, there is significant concern about the impact on the prices of chocolate and the livelihood of farmers.
Cocoa researcher Michael Odijie explains the reasons for the shortage.
Why has cocoa production declined sharply in West Africa?
Three factors are at play: environmental, economic cycle-related and human.
One environmental factor is the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has caused drier weather in West Africa. It has contributed to problems on farms, such as the swollen shoot virus disease. As a result, Ghana has lost harvests from nearly 500 000 hectares of land in recent years.
The economic cycle of cocoa production refers to the inherent patterns of expansion and contraction in cocoa farming. For example, as cocoa trees age, they become susceptible to diseases, requiring high maintenance costs. Historically, farmers have tended to abandon old farms and start anew in fresh forests. Unfortunately, finding new forests is now increasingly difficult.
The human factor includes challenges such as illegal mining, which has overtaken numerous farms in Ghana. Sometimes, farmers lease their land to illegal miners in exchange for payment. These mining activities degrade the quality of the land, making it unsuitable for cocoa cultivation.
The global market for chocolate and chocolate products is on the rise. It is projected to grow faster than 4% annually over the next few years. This growing demand for cocoa underscores the urgency of addressing the intertwined issues that relate to the industry’s sustainability.
Have West African governments intervened to help cocoa farmers?
In February 2024, the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), the country’s cocoa sector regulator, secured a World Bank loan of US$200 million to rehabilitate plantations affected by the cocoa swollen shoot virus. The board will take over the disease-ridden farms, remove and replace the afflicted cocoa trees, and nurture the new plantings to the fruiting stage before returning them to the farmers.
This practice of Cocobod taking out loans to assist farmers is a longstanding one in Ghana. For instance, in 2018, Cocobod used part of a $600 million loan from the African Development Bank to rehabilitate ageing plantations and those hit by diseases. And at the start of the current harvest season in October, the producer price was raised: farmers are paid more, a move made inevitable by the surge in global prices. Also, Ghana Cocobod has established a task force to shield cocoa farms from the harmful impacts of mining. It has cooperated with police to stem cocoa smuggling to neighbouring countries, particularly those offering a stronger currency.
In Côte d’Ivoire, relatively little action has been taken. It appears the government is still assessing the situation. But there have been measures to curb cocoa smuggling, prompted by the fact that the shortage is driving up prices in neighbouring countries. Côte d’Ivoire does benefit from numerous sustainability programmes initiated by multinational corporations. The current shortage has accelerated these initiatives. Regrettably, some of the programmes do not disclose their data, making it difficult for academics to access and analyse their information.
African governments have yet to address significant structural issues in their interventions.
How have cocoa farmers and cocoa-producing countries’ economies been affected?
At the farm level, although the rise in prices may initially appear beneficial to farmers, the reality is not straightforward. A decrease in output leads to fewer harvests on average, which means that, overall, farmers are not earning more. This issue is compounded by recent economic challenges in West Africa, such as high inflation and currency devaluation, particularly in Ghana. These factors have resulted in farmers becoming poorer.
Another impact of the output decline is a reduction in local processing. Major African processing facilities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana have either ceased operations or reduced their processing capacity because they cannot afford to purchase beans. This likely means that chocolate prices worldwide will surge. This, in turn, adversely affects the local production units that have been emerging in recent years.
However, the bargaining power of West African cocoa-producing countries seems to have increased. Now is an opportune moment for these nations to unite and negotiate more favourable terms for their cocoa farmers.
Will chocolate makers eventually turn to cocoa alternatives?
It’s inevitable because continuing to cultivate cocoa under current conditions is unsustainable. I don’t perceive this negatively; I hope it occurs sooner rather than later. In fact, it is already underway with the rise of cocoa butter equivalents, cocoa extenders and artificial flavours (synthetic or nature-identical flavours that mimic the taste of chocolate without the need for cocoa).
The German company Planet A Foods is a leader in this area. It produces cocoa-free chocolate, using technology to transform ingredients such as oats and sunflower seeds into substitutes for cocoa mass and butter.
Overall, this is beneficial for everyone. The demand for cocoa has resulted in mass deforestation and significant carbon emissions, issues that are likely to worsen due to climate change. Moreover, the push for cultivation has led to various forms of labour abuses. Exploring cocoa alternatives is certainly part of the solution.
The Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in charge of crops, Hon. Yaw Frimpong Addo, has urged farmers, stakeholders and the general public to inclusively participate in the ongoing Agritech exhibition at Accra International Conference Centre, Accra.
He made this statement at the opening ceremony of a three-day exhibition organized by AgriTech West Africa, in collaboration with FoodPack Tech-Ghana and Food and Beverage Ghana-West Africa.
He asserted that the exhibition is a clear indication of the ministry’s effort to improve the sector by helping achieving government policies.
According to him, the exhibition covers the entire value chain; from production process to the value addition. “It is very insightful to observe such function that encompasses whatever is need in the production process. I am very happy to be here and I want to urge the farmers and the value chain actors to patronise this event”, he added.
Exhibitions like this create linkages between farmers, manufacturers, and everyone involved in the agricultural industry.
He mentioned that the exhibition is critical that thrives the Planting for Food and Jobs phase II policy.
He urged farmers who have not registered for phase two of Planting for Food and Jobs to do so, as it will benefit them in the coming years.
He indicated that Planting for Food and Jobs phase two will last for five years, and those who woll register will enjoy benefits for the entire duration. Planting for Food and Jobs is a comprehensive package for all and will ensure food security in the country.
He highlighted the project’s transition from input subsidy to input credit, as it would involve a whole chain of events. Once a farmer registers their farming with the Planting for Food and Jobs phase two, it will appear on their Agribusiness platform, and the farmer will be linked to an Aggregator.
The Aggregator will ensure that whether the farmer needs land development services or any other requirements, everything necessary for the farmer to work will be provided, as the Aggregator serves as an intermediary between the farmers and the ministry.
He revealed this will reduce complaints from farmers who often claim they lack the needed materials to be productive. He further mentioned that the ministry has consulted with chiefs, who are willing to provide land to anyone interested in engaging in agriculture. He indicated that the ministry is addressing post-harvest losses by providing a ready market for farmers to sell their products.
The declining labour force is a serious threat to Ghana’s cocoa industry, which was once the pride and foundation of the country’s economy.
The youth no longer find cocoa growing as appealing, despite its historical significance.
There are several intricate challenges that need to be addressed immediately.
Results of SEND Ghana’s research on gender responsiveness Ghana has illuminated this matter, exposing a depressing lack of enthusiasm for cocoa growing among the younger generation.
An important hurdle that keeps young farmers from entering this important sector of the economy is the use of traditional farming methods, which are ingrained in generational norms as well as inadequate inputs.
The Senior Programme Manager for SEND Ghana, Harriet Nuamah Agyemang highlights how urgently the cocoa business needs to innovate and modernise in order to give young farmers access to modern farming methods and technologies.
He added that “Farming itself is not attractive to young people these days because we are still using our local implements. Farming is still rudimentary for most people and people don’t want to exert so much energy these days into farming.”
Mrs Agyemang further explained that “Young people think that whatever is due them should be paid and then they would go and procure their inputs for their farms, rather than being given inputs that are inadequate but at the end of the day, the cost of those inputs are being deducted from the money they are given for their beans.”
Amidst these urgent worries, groups such as SEND Ghana are raising the alarm and pressuring decision-makers and business stakeholders to tackle the fundamental problems confronting the cocoa industry.
Bananas are set to get more expensive as climate change hits a much-loved fruit, one of the world’s top experts from the industry tells BBC News.
Pascal Liu, senior economist at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, says climate impacts pose an “enormous threat” to supply, compounding the impacts of fast-spreading diseases.
The World Banana Forum meets in Rome on Tuesday to discuss the challenges.
Some UK shops recently experienced banana shortages due to sea storms.
In its natural yellow wrapper, the nutritious and tasty banana is the world’s most exported fruit.
The UK alone imports around 5 billion bananas ever year, with around 90% sold through the major supermarkets.
Last week saw shortages of bananas in several UK supermarkets, which retailers said were down to storms at sea, delaying supplies.
“The supply chain fluctuates but the UK is actually quite good at buffering those types of effects,” he told BBC News.
“Mainly, because the ripening centres can accelerate or decelerate the rate at which they ripen the bananas when they arrive, which helps to buffer those types of fluctuations.”
But while banana supplies can cope with short-term weather events like this, experts are concerned about the growing threats from a warming world, and from the diseases that are spreading in its wake.
“I think climate change is really an enormous threat to the banana sector,” said Mr Liu of the World Banana Forum, a UN umbrella group that brings together industry stakeholders including retailers, producer countries, exporters and research institutions.
As well as severe weather impacting production, bananas are sensitive to temperature rises which could wipe out crops in some locations.
Perhaps the biggest immediate threat is the fact that rising temperatures are helping to spread disease.
The one causing the most worry is Fusarium Wilt TR4, a fungal infection, which has moved from Australia and Asia to Africa and now to South America.
Once a plantation is infected, it kills all the banana trees and experts say it is extremely hard to get rid of.
The fungus has also mutated to threaten the Cavendish, the world’s favourite banana variety.
“We know that the spores of this Fusarium Wilt are extremely resistant, and they can be spread by flooding, they can be spread by strong winds,” said Mr Liu.
“So, this type of phenomenon will disseminate the disease much faster than if you had more normal weather patterns.”
Producers are also facing pressures from rising costs of fertilisers, energy and transport as well as problems in finding enough workers.
Taken together with the impacts of climate change on supply, prices in the UK and elsewhere are likely to go up – and stay up.
“There will be some price increases, indeed,” said Mr Liu. “If there’s not a major increase in supply, I project that banana prices will remain relatively high in the coming years.”
Among the issues that the banana industry will discuss at its gathering in Rome is the critical question of sustainability.
Consumers are increasingly looking to buy bananas and other commodities that are produced in a sustainable way.
For banana growers this means not only making their means of production greener, but also paying independent examiners to certify that their fruit are sustainable.
“These regulations are a good thing in a way because they help producers seize the opportunity of making their production systems more sustainable,” said Mr Liu.
“But of course, they also come with costs for producers because they require more control and monitoring systems on the part of the producers and the traders. And these costs have to trickle down to the final consumers.”
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is an organization aimed at improving the food security and income of smallholder farmers in Africa. AGRA was founded in 2006 through a partnership between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, with the objective of promoting agricultural transformation in Africa. The organization focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity, strengthening farmers’ resilience, and improving the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across the continent.
Finding Open Jobs at AGRA
AGRA offers a wide range of job opportunities for professionals who are passionate about making a difference in African agriculture. The organization’s diverse workforce includes individuals with expertise in various fields, including agriculture, research, policy, finance, monitoring and evaluation, communications, and administration. By working with AGRA, professionals can contribute to the organization’s mission to catalyze a green revolution in Africa and improve the lives of smallholder farmers.
To apply for a job at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), you will typically need to follow a structured process. Here is a general overview of the steps involved in applying for a job at AGRA:
Review Job Openings: Look through the list of job openings on the AGRA website to find positions that match your skills, qualifications, and interests.
Prepare Your Application Materials: Once you have identified a job opening that you are interested in, prepare your application materials, which typically include a resume or CV and a cover letter.
Submit Your Application Online: AGRA requires applicants to submit their applications online through the email ( recruit@agra.org). Follow the instructions provided on the job posting to submit your application.
Wait for a Response: After submitting your application, wait for a response from AGRA regarding the status of your application. This may take some time, so be patient during this process.
Interview Process: If your application is shortlisted, you may be contacted for an interview. Be prepared to discuss your qualifications, experience, and interest in working at AGRA during the interview.
