Kumasi: The General Agricultural Workers' Union (GAWU) has urged the government to significantly invest in irrigation services to ensure consistent food production throughout the year. The Union emphasizes that addressing the challenges posed by climate change, such as flooding, altered weather patterns, and drought, requires the construction of efficient irrigation systems to provide crops with water as needed.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Paschal Ajongba Kaba, the Deputy General Secretary of GAWU, highlighted that irrigation development has not been a priority for the government. He pointed out that the current funding for this sector is insufficient and stressed the need for increased investment to revitalize it. Dr. Kaba made these remarks during the GAWU National Executive Council Meeting held in Kumasi, where he also urged Ghanaians to prioritize afforestation to combat the adverse effects of climate change.
Dr. Kaba advocated for reforms to make the agricultural sector more dynamic, suggesting that the Department of Agriculture should become an independent or semi-autonomous body. He argued that GAWU's current position under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development hinders the progress of agriculture and Ghana's development. Drawing parallels to other agencies like the Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service, the Union believes that establishing a dedicated Ghana Agriculture Service would allow for more effective functioning.
He stressed that successful implementation of government policies within the agricultural sector is crucial and that those working within the agricultural value chain, as staff of the proposed agriculture service, would play a vital role in this process.