The Sanahene of the Enyan Denkyira Traditional Council in the Central Region, Osadeayo Ayeboafo Etuaful, has vowed to mobilise farmers for a massive demonstration against the government, accusing it of neglecting those who feed the nation.
Speaking to MyNewsGh.com’s Hajia Asana Gordon after the inauguration of the Central Regional Fruits Producers Union at Ekumfi Abor, he said farmers have looked after the country for decades, yet their livelihoods are in a very bad state.
“For so many years farmers have been taking care of this country, but their situation, their livelihood, is very bad, and both the current and previous governments are not paying attention. It has reached a time when farmers must mobilise and do serious demonstrations,” he said.
He compared farmers with other workers who get a hearing. “If teachers do demonstration, government pays attention to them. If doctors or nurses go on strike, government pays attention to them. What about farmers?” he asked.
Osadeayo Etuaful urged every farmer to lay down his or her cutlass until the government gives farming the attention it needs. He recalled the hunger of 1983 and asked what would happen to the country if farmers stopped working.
He said farmers become poor through no fault of their own, but because of how the economy is managed and government neglect. He also expressed disappointment that the government has not paid more attention to the sector, which he described as collapsing.
The Sanahene, who is also a part-time farmer, called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to act urgently to revamp the sector.
