The Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) on Friday, inaugurated its new branch at Tsopoli in the Dangbe West District of the Greater Accra Region to strengthen its district structures.

The new branch, as part of its mandate, is to register farmers and fishermen in the area to enable the National secretariat to conduct the needed assessment to address some of their challenges.

In April, GNAFF inaugurated a sub-committee, chaired by Mr Terkpertey Mensah, to identify problem areas, develop strategies, and take stock of assets and liabilities of the association country-wide and advise the GNAFF.

The committee was tasked to inaugurate branches to strengthen regional and district structures of the association.

Mr Mensah said the National secretariat pledged to assist the farmers and fishermen in any way to achieve its objectives, and that, the Association was also engaging with companies to provide tractors to farmers, to help in ploughing their farms.

He said the Association in partnership with Rlg communications is providing the farmers with mobile handsets since communication was vital in their daily activities.

He said the Association has decided to provide storage facilities and that plans are far advanced to construct a market for the farmers in the district.

“It is my vision to see a strong and vibrant GNAFF with unlimited capacity to support farmers and fishermen and improve agricultural production, as well as reducing poverty,” he added.

Mr Hoppson Blewu, Acting District Director of Agriculture, Ningo Prampram, said plans were advanced to increase extension services to farmers in the districts, and that, the District Assembly intends to provide training for farmers to improve on their yield and also integrate farms.

“Making farm inputs accessible on time and at the right price is our priority,” he added.

Mr Bismark Doku Nettey, Past President of GNAFF, called on the government to invest more in agriculture extension services to enhance productivity and urged farmers and fishermen to liaise with traditional authorities in the acquisition of farm land for cultivation, since estate developers were grabbing these lands for various developments.

The branch has a 10-member executive to steer the affairs of the Association at the district level.