The Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF), a collective voice of farmers and fisherfolk in Ghana, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for his bold, forward-thinking and progressive announcement of an import duty waiver on agricultural and agro-processing machinery.

According to the association, the proposed import duty waiver announced by President Mahama on July 28, 2025, on critical machinery such as tractors, harvesters, planters, irrigation systems, and agro-processing equipment is a bold and farmer-friendly policy, which will significantly reduce the cost of mechanised farming and improve food production across the country.

Per details of a press statement signed by the spokesperson of GNAFF, Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu II, the association stressed that the proposed import duty waiver aligns with the urgent needs of farmers and fishers, many of whom are struggling to modernise their operations due to high input costs and limited access to appropriate technologies.

“This policy marks a significant milestone in the advancement of agriculture and fisheries in Ghana. It comes at a crucial time when farmers and fisherfolk across the nation are calling for greater access to affordable and efficient farming tools, equipment, and mechanised services”, the statement read in parts.

The statement further praised the government for its efforts in establishing Agricultural Mechanisation Service Centres across the country, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at enhancing productivity and promoting modern farming practices.

“We particularly commend the strategic decision to set up 11 agricultural mechanisation service centres with over 600 machines under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, ensuring that this policy benefits not just importers but also farmers at the grassroots level”, the statement added.

Established in 1992, the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) represents the collective voice of Ghana’s farmers and fisherfolk with a commitment to advocacy, welfare, and the sustainable development of the agricultural and fisheries sectors across all regions of Ghana.

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