Ghana Federation of Forest and Farm Producers has advocate for a Chemical-free Agri-food system    during the World Food Day 2023. The Celebrations was on the theme “Water is Life, Water is Food, Leave No One Behind”

The Federation President Hajia Alima Sagito- Saeed, in a statement said the demand for organic agricultural produce continues to increase in response to growing consumer demand since transitioning to organic from conventional chemical farming, however, can be both rewarding and challenging for farmers and therefore we must do more as a Federation to carry everyone along.

She said that apart from a heightened price premium that would benefit organic farmers, and the healthy food that is essential to human health, organic agriculture will also bring a series of benefits in environmental quality, including reduced pollution from nitrogen run-off and improved water quality; reduced energy use in farming; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and improved biodiversity and natural habitats, etc.

The GhaFFaP President further stated that GhaFFaP as national federation shall continue to adopt an integrated and climate resilient approaches to farming in their productive activities.

Finally, in her statement she called on the policy makers and implementers and the government to commit to its policies and programmes of investment in agriculture as the engine of growth with women in focus. The following to action points recommendations are what the GhaFFaP and its over 600,000 members demand from:

1. Improving access to quality education for rural girls and women is essential. This can include building schools, providing scholarships, and promoting gender-sensitive curricula
2. Economic empowerment: Implement programs that provide rural women with opportunities for income generation, including vocational training, microcredit, and access to markets. Support women’s entrepreneurship and access to agricultural resources.
3. Agricultural support: Develop policies and programs that enhance women’s participation in agriculture and agribusiness. This can include training, access to land and technology, and market
4. Social Protection programmes: Implement social safety nets such as cash transfer programs, food assistance, and pension schemes to support vulnerable rural women and their families.
5. Invest in rural infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and water supply, which can improve living conditions and reduce the burden of domestic work on women.
6. Strengthen legal frameworks and enforce property rights for rural women. This can include land ownership, inheritance rights, and protection against gender-based violence. Emphasis on the full implementation of the 2020 Land Act.
7. Digital and information capacity building: Provide training and capacity-building programmes to enhance the skills and knowledge of rural women, enabling them to participate in the digital world, in decision-making processes and community development while improving their innovations. Their understanding of the technological environment will improve their access to information technology and empower them with knowledge to access wider markets.
8. Gender equality promotion: Implement policies and programs that promote gender equality in all spheres of life, including participation in local governance and leadership roles
9. Data collection, Monitoring and evaluation: Invest in research and data collection on the specific needs and challenges of rural women to inform evidence-based policy development. Establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of policies and programs on the wellbeing of rural women and make necessary adjustments
10. Encourage collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to pool resources and expertise in addressing the challenges faced by rural women towards sustainable development

Thank you

Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed (GhaFFaP President)

Issued on 16^th October 2023

International Day of Rural Women