Mr Andy Tagoe, General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), has called for the establishment of a Ghana Agricultural Services Authority to enhance coordination and improve service delivery in the agriculture sector.
He said the proposed Authority would serve as a dedicated institutional framework to implement policies of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture more effectively, similar to how the Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service operate in their respective sectors.
Mr Tagoe made the call at the maiden GAWU Agricultural Fair held in Accra as part of activities marking the 2026 May Day celebrations of the Trades Union Congress (Ghana) (TUC).
The fair, on the theme: “From Farm to You: Decent Work Today, Food Security Tomorrow,” brought together farmers, agribusinesses, policymakers and development partners to showcase agricultural products and discuss challenges facing the sector.
Mr Tagoe said although Ghana had sound agricultural policies, the absence of a well-structured and resourced institution to drive implementation continued to hinder progress.
“We cannot continue to implement agricultural policies in a fragmented and piecemeal manner. We need a strong, centralised institution that ensures consistency, coordination and equity in service delivery,” he said.
He explained that the proposed Authority would help professionalise agricultural extension services, improve access to support for farmers and ensure that interventions reached all parts of the country.
Mr Tagoe described the current situation, where many agricultural graduates remained unemployed while farmers lacked technical guidance, as a paradox that must be addressed urgently.
“At a time when productivity must increase and innovation is required, it is unacceptable that trained extension officers are at home while farmers struggle without adequate support,” he added.
He called on the government to prioritise the recruitment of agricultural graduates and integrate them into a strengthened extension system under the proposed Authority.
Mr Tagoe also urged government to provide adequate logistics and motivation for frontline agricultural workers to enable them to deliver efficient services to farmers.
He reiterated that agriculture remained central to Ghana’s economy and food security, stressing that reforms in institutional structures were critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
The GAWU General Secretary emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government, organised labour and the private sector to address systemic challenges in agriculture.
He expressed confidence that the establishment of a Ghana Agricultural Services Authority would significantly improve policy implementation, boost productivity and ensure sustainable livelihoods for farmers and agricultural workers.
GNA
