Ghana National Farmers and Fisherman's Association Identified As Body To Represent Farmers

Accra, (Greater Accra) 22 Sept., Mr. Bismarck Doku-Nettey, President of the Ghana National Farmers and Fishermen's Association (GNAFF), today asked District Assemblies to accept only members of the association as representatives of farmers and fishermen. Mr. Doku-Nettey said the District Assemblies Act mandates GNAFF, which is the umbrella body of all farmers and fishermen's groups, to nominate its representative to serve on the district assemblies. Speaking to journalists in Accra, Mr. Doku-Nettey said this provision is being flouted because in some cases, extension officers are representing GNAFF, while certain associations have managed to have their members represented in the assemblies. ''Last week, the District Chief Executive of Berekum invited me because the Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Association had written to him asking the assembly to replace Madam Yaa Badu, second vice president of GNAFF with the association's representative. ''I would like to stress that even though our representative can also be a member of any farmers or fishermen's association, he or she must be there as the representative of GNAFF to seek the interest of all farmers and fishermen and not (that of) his association alone''. Mr. Doku-Nettey said GNAFF members will also ensure that the 20 per cent allocation of the Common Fund reserved for agriculture is properly utilised. GNAFF was formed in 1992 to, among others, act as the mouthpiece of all farmers and fishermen and inform members about all issues relating to agricultural development.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 22 Sept., Mr. Bismarck Doku-Nettey, President of the Ghana National Farmers and Fishermen's Association (GNAFF), today asked District Assemblies to accept only members of the association as representatives of farmers and fishermen. Mr. Doku-Nettey said the District Assemblies Act mandates GNAFF, which is the umbrella body of all farmers and fishermen's groups, to nominate its representative to serve on the district assemblies. Speaking to journalists in Accra, Mr. Doku-Nettey said this provision is being flouted because in some cases, extension officers are representing GNAFF, while certain associations have managed to have their members represented in the assemblies. ''Last week, the District Chief Executive of Berekum invited me because the Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Association had written to him asking the assembly to replace Madam Yaa Badu, second vice president of GNAFF with the association's representative. ''I would like to stress that even though our representative can also be a member of any farmers or fishermen's association, he or she must be there as the representative of GNAFF to seek the interest of all farmers and fishermen and not (that of) his association alone''. Mr. Doku-Nettey said GNAFF members will also ensure that the 20 per cent allocation of the Common Fund reserved for agriculture is properly utilised. GNAFF was formed in 1992 to, among others, act as the mouthpiece of all farmers and fishermen and inform members about all issues relating to agricultural development.