By: Jones Anlimah
The Volta Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen has held its 8th Regional Congress to elect new executive members to steer the affairs of the association. The elections, held in Ho, mark a major effort to reorganize, reposition, and rebrand the association, which has seen a decline since its formation in 1992.
Swearing in the eight member new executives, the Ho Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr. Godwin Agbenyegah, emphasized the need for closer collaboration between the association and key stakeholders, especially the government, to advance the development of the agricultural sector.
“In fact, collaboration should be 100 percent because we are the people who coordinate the implementation of government policy as the Department of Agriculture,” he said. “We are mandated to promote the development of agriculture and its sustainability, but the actual people on the ground are the farmers. So we need to work hand in hand. If we know them, we can put plans together for them, and when government is making its policies, they will have accurate data and inputs to work with.”
The Regional Congress was also attended by the Consultant tasked to revive and rebrand the Association, Mr. Francis Opai Tetteh, who explained that the elections were part of broader reforms to revive the once-powerful umbrella body for farmers, fishermen, and other agricultural stakeholders in Ghana.
“What we have basically come here to do is the 8th Regional Congress for the Volta Region to elect our regional officers,” he said. “All the district and municipal officers were elected and brought here to help us choose the regional officers. The association has been very strong and powerful, but due to partisan politics and mismanagement of resources, it went under for some time. This effort is to revive the association and make it great and strong again. I am calling for an all-hands-on-deck approach,” he said.
The Chairman of the Volta Regional Branch of the Ghana National Association Of Farmers and Fishermen, Mr Fiagli Degbor, thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and the other executives. He said the new leadership was determined to hit the ground running, emphasizing that this was not a time for long speeches and promises, but for action.
“We have talked enough over the years,” Mr. Degbor stated. “This is the time to work. We are going to hit the ground running to reorganize and rebuild this association into a strong and respected body that truly represents farmers and fishermen. We need everyone’s support to make it happen.”
The newly elected executives are expected to lead efforts to strengthen the association’s structures across the region, ensure better representation of farmers and fishermen, and make meaningful contributions to agricultural policies and programs at both regional and national levels.
One Response
This is really great, we thank the chairman Mr. Fiagli Degbor for recognizing this farmers and the fishermen. I would say this us very timely and more grease to your elbows. I am one of the biggest farmer in Kpetoe Agortime Ziofe District