Edward Kareweh, the former General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), has called on the newly sworn-in Minister of Agriculture, Eric Opoku, to adopt a collaborative approach in addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the agricultural sector.
In an interview on the Orange Sunrise with Alfa Ali, Kareweh underscored the necessity for the minister to actively engage with various stakeholders and to focus on the effective execution of agricultural policies.
“The agricultural landscape is incredibly diverse, and the needs of farmers can vary widely,” Kareweh remarked.
“For example, the requirements of rice farmers are not the same as those of maize farmers.
It’s crucial for the minister to build consensus and genuinely listen to the concerns of these groups,” he said.
While acknowledging the new minister’s qualifications, Kareweh cautioned against the pitfalls of overconfidence.
He warned that making unilateral decisions could alienate essential stakeholders and impede progress within the sector.
A significant concern raised by Kareweh was the distribution of government subsidies and fertilizers.
He noted the importance of ensuring that these resources reach the intended recipients—farmers—and that they are utilized effectively.
He urged the minister to draw lessons from previous programs, such as the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, which, despite being a well-conceived policy, struggled with implementation.
Edward Kareweh called for a renewed commitment to stakeholder engagement and effective policy implementation to foster growth and sustainability in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
