The General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, has called on government to ensure that subsidies under the 24-hour economy initiative directly benefit farmers.
Speaking to ABC Midday News on July 3, he stressed that for Ghana to be truly competitive, agricultural subsidies must be targeted at the farmers themselves and not intermediaries.
“It is good, but it must be fashioned in a way that will reach farmers,” he said, lamenting that in the past, subsidies have largely ended up in the wrong hands.
Mr. Tagoe further noted that support for agriculture must not come from government alone.
“Subsidies can also come from private sector players,” he emphasized, adding that this partnership will help farmers produce at a cost that can compete with foreign prices.
He warned that any misapplication of resources would undermine the policy’s intent and urged strict oversight.
“We call on the government to have zero tolerance for any form of diversion, [or] error that is not in the principles of the 24-hour economy agenda,” he cautioned.
He concluded by calling for integrity and competence among officials tasked with implementing the policy.
“We need decency in officials who will manage this,” he said, highlighting the need for transparency and proper monitoring.
