Accra: The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), with backing from the Star Ghana Foundation, has conducted a training session for members of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) in the Nanumba North Municipality. The initiative aims to bolster budget accountability and foster inclusive decision-making in agricultural governance.
According to Ghana News Agency, the one-day capacity-building program is part of PFAG's project titled 'Strengthening Farmers' Voices to Promote Accountability and Inclusive Decision-Making in Ghana.' This project is designed to empower farmers and other stakeholders to engage effectively with local authorities, thereby promoting accountability in the management of public resources.
The training saw participation from various representatives, including those from the Nanumba North Municipal Assembly, PFAG district executives, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, processors, and aggregators, alongside youth and women's groups and the Municipal Directorate of Agriculture.
The MSP serves as a platform to unite duty bearers and rights holders in addressing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, while simultaneously promoting transparency and inclusive governance within the municipality.
During a session focused on safeguarding and inclusive engagement, Dr. Roger Akanbisik, Project Officer of PFAG, highlighted the need for creating safe and respectful spaces for all stakeholders in community development projects. He stressed that safeguarding involves protecting children, vulnerable adults, and community members from abuse, urging participants to handle reported cases with confidentiality and respect for the dignity of those affected.
Dr. Benjamin Sarfo, Programmes Officer of PFAG, pointed out that although agriculture employs approximately 79.4% of the municipality's active population, it receives a mere 1.17% of the total municipal budget allocation. He noted that a significant portion of this allocation is spent on salaries, with only a small fraction available for essential agricultural development activities.
Dr. Sarfo urged the platform members to utilize the findings from the session to advocate for increased budgetary allocations and improved responsiveness to the needs of smallholder farmers. He also encouraged participants to create advocacy messages that are factual, solution-oriented, and respectful to engage policymakers effectively.
Mr. Alhassan Amin, PFAG Focal Person for Nanumba North Municipality, expressed that the training was enlightening, enhancing his understanding of the municipal composite budget and the factors contributing to the low allocation to agriculture. Mr. Hamza Mohammed, Municipal Director of Agriculture and Co-convenor of the MSP, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of continued stakeholder engagements to strengthen advocacy efforts for increased investment in agriculture.