Upper East women farmers demand fair access to farmland to boost productivity

Women farmers in the Upper East Region are urging the government and traditional authorities to ensure easier and fairer access to arable land for agricultural activities, describing land inaccessibility as a major barrier to productivity and improved livelihoods.

Speaking to journalists at a pre-season discussion and farmers’ awards ceremony organized by Akuafo Nketewa in Bolgatanga, Janet Atimoliga, a farmer and leader of a local women farmers’ group, expressed serious concern over the persistent challenges women face in acquiring farmland.

“Many of us are willing and able to farm, but the lack of access to land—especially in rural communities—holds us back,” Atimoliga said. “We are appealing to chiefs, landlords, and the government to support women by allocating land fairly.”

She noted that, despite women’s significant contributions to food production and household incomes, cultural norms and land tenure systems continue to restrict their access to fertile land, often relegating them to less productive plots or forcing them to give up farming entirely.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, Chief Executive Officer of Akuafo Nketewa, highlighted the company’s achievements in supporting smallholder farmers across northern Ghana during the 2024 farming season, despite multiple challenges.

He reported that over the past year, Akuafo Nketewa provided support to more than 20,000 rice farmers in the Northern, North East, and Upper East Regions. Additionally, over 5,000 soybean farmers and 30,000 sorghum farmers received various forms of input and production assistance.

“This meeting serves three key purposes: to reflect on the 2024 production season, strategize for 2025, and recognize the dedication of our farmers, FBOs, and aggregators,” Dr. Nyaaba said.

He acknowledged challenges such as prolonged dry spells, high input costs, market limitations, and logistical issues, but remained optimistic about the sector’s prospects.

Dr. Nyaaba commended the Government of Ghana for stabilizing the economy, particularly through managing fuel prices and currency fluctuations. However, he urged faster action on key policy areas, including the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam, reintroduction of input subsidies, integration of agriculture into the 24-Hour Economy policy, and operationalization of Farmer Service Centres.

He also called for a clearly defined Feed Ghana policy that directly benefits farmers, the depoliticization of agricultural programmes, and improvements to irrigation systems, particularly the rehabilitation of the Tono and Vea dams.

The stakeholder meeting brought together farmers, aggregators, and development partners to assess the past season and plan for the future. Several deserving farmers received cash prizes, farming tools, and input packages in recognition of their hard work and commitment.

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