Accra, Oct. 23, GNA - The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has officially launched the Ghana Federation of Agricultural Producers (GFAP). The federation comprises four major apex farmers associations - the Apex Farmers Organisation of Ghana (APFOG), Farmers Organisation of Ghana (FONG), Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG and the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) under one umbrella. A statement from APFOG said the mission of the federation was to unify all agricultural producers and related actors in the agricultural value chain in Ghana, to advocate agricultural and environmentally friendly policies at the local and international levels for sustainable livelihoods. Mr Vesper Suglo, who read the keynote on behalf of the sector Minister, expressed gratitude to the farmers organisations at the function for the initiative of coming together as one entity, with one voice and taking their destinies into their own hands to champion the cause of farmers, through advocacy, food security and service provision.

The minister expressed the frustrating circumstances that usually bedevilled the ministry in determining which of the several apex associations to serve, refer to, or engage in addressing issues that demanded the input of farmers.

He said at last farmers would heavily weigh in all major decision-making processes for the development and improvement of agriculture in Ghana.

Also at the ceremony, a 20-member National Council, National President and Vice President of the federation were sworn into office. In his acceptance speech, Dr. King David Amoah, President of the federation, said the group had finally adopted a constitution. He said the unity of purpose would inspire members to stay focused and contribute to an environment where agricultural producers would be recognized, respected, appreciated and involved in policy formulation and implementation of agricultural projects.

Dr Amoah called for a sustained partnership with government to help accelerate agricultural and development programmes more especially on the Expanded Rice production, the Northern Rural Growth Programme, Savannah Accelerated Development Authority and the fertilizer subsidy programme, among other things.