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The Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) says it will scutinise government policies and programmes to ensure that they serve the interest of Ghanaians, especially farmers, fishermen and women.
The newly elected President of the association, Michael Tetteh Kwetey, said it was time for members to put their collective energies and resources together towards “the improvement of our livelihoods and the Ghanaian economy”.
He, however, assured the government of their preparedness to partner with it to increase productivity and improve people’s livelihoods.
Mr Kwetey, a businessman, was addressing the eighth national delegates congress of GNAFF at Brofoyedu in the Atwima Kwanwoma District in the Ashanti Region last Saturday, during which he was elected as new President of the association for a four-year term.
He polled 70 votes to defeat his only challenger, Dr Peter Kwesi Terkper, who had 66 votes, to win the contest at the two-day congress.
Mr Kwetey said the association’s renewed life and strength was not only a testament to the resilience and strategic relevance of the association to the local economy, but also reinforced its role as the backbone of Ghana’s economy.
He added that no society could ever imagine a future without farmers, fishermen and women, saying “this very point underscores the transformative power inherent in our collective energies and resources”.
Mr Kwetey said the new leadership would visit farmers and fishermen nationwide to further appreciate their working and living conditions, and how the association could collectively improve the conditions of farmers and its members.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, described farmers and fisherfolk as the heroes feeding the nation and sustaining countless livelihoods.
She said their “resilience and hard work often in the face of adversity deserve our highest commendation”, adding that the ministry remained committed to policies and programmes that would promote a sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector.
She encouraged the association to continue to foster unity, innovation and advocacy for the welfare of its members, and indicated that their collaboration with the ministry, other government agencies and private partners was key to achieving a vibrant fisheries and agricultural sector.
The Ashanti Regional Director of Agriculture, Geodfrey Appiah Acheampong, said GNAFF could not feed the nation when farmers and fishermen were fragmented, under-resourced and under-represented.
“We must continue to break silos, strengthen farmer-based organisations and promote inclusive policies that prioritise the needs of our members,” he said, adding that unity would enable them to speak with one voice, negotiate better, adopt innovative practices and adapt to climate shocks together.
The two-day congress, held on the theme: “Uniting farmers and fishermen to feed the nation”, also witnessed the election of other officers of the association.
Rev. Simon Banmarigu polled 106 votes to win the position of Youth Organiser as against 30 votes secured by Temple Solomon Adjei.
Dawuda Nashirata lost the General Secretary position to Dr Abutu Kapori.
Other elected officers who went unopposed were Dr Israel Kuadzi as Deputy General Secretary; Isaac Amanor as National Treasurer; Paul Agorsu Danklu as National Financial
Secretary; Emmanuel Anunyam as National Organiser; and Shaibu Mohammed as Deputy National Organiser.
The rest were Esther Asi Tettey Akplehey as National Women's Organiser, Felicia Ayamga as Deputy National Women’s Organiser, and Rev. Richard Amoh as the Deputy National Youth Organiser.
Mr Kwetey has over two decades of experience in business development, growth and entrepreneurship.
A businessman and entrepreneur, he is currently the Director and Chief Executive of Kwat Company Limited, a haulage company in the petrochemical industry of the downstream sub-sector of the energy sector.
Mr Kwetey holds a Master of Laws, Energy Law, from the University of Ghana, a Bachelor of Laws from Central University College and a Master of Administration in Oil and Gas Management from Coventry University.
He also has a Master of Arts degree in Development Communication from the University of Media, Arts and Communication.
The immediate past President, GNAFF, Nene Terkpetey Agbleze I, who chaired the event, called on the leadership and members to remain united to sustain the operations of the association
He said, "we need peace and unity within the association to achieve the goals and objectives of the association".
