Eastern Region: Rice farmers demand end to political interference in agricultural assistance
The farmers made the appeal during an engagement with officials from the AritaGlobe Foundation, who visited the community as part of their Green Dialogue Series project, aimed at assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture
Rice farmers at Amartey Kope, a farming community near Akuse in the Eastern Region, have welcomed ongoing government support but are calling for a more transparent and direct distribution of assistance, free from political interference.
The farmers made the appeal during an engagement with officials from the AritaGlobe Foundation, who visited the community as part of their Green Dialogue Series project, aimed at assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture.
Speaking at the event, local rice farmer Mr Jones Akpaglo said that while government initiatives such as subsidies were commendable, many intended beneficiaries were being left out.
“Government can come in. For instance, government can give subsidies to farmers. But it needs to channel the resources through the right people so that peasant farmers can get it,” he said.
Mr Akpaglo warned that political influence often derailed the fair distribution of support, undermining the effectiveness of government programmes.
“Sometimes, even though government implements good initiatives, the product does not get to the people who really need it. We must target those who truly need the assistance for the intended purpose to be realised,” he added.
He also highlighted the mounting challenges farmers face, citing the high cost of production and the increasing risks posed by climate change.
“Land preparation alone is capital intensive. You might spend as much as 20,000 cedis, and yet at the end of the season, you get nothing. How do you then take care of your family? These are real challenges affecting us,” he said.
The AritaGlobe Foundation’s visit forms part of a broader effort to gather firsthand experiences of farmers confronting climate impacts. The findings will contribute to a national report and documentary aimed at shaping policies to improve climate resilience among farmers across the country.
For the farmers of Amartey Kope, the message remains clear: government support must reach the grassroots directly, fairly, and without political barriers.
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