RUWFAG opposes industrial agriculture
The Rural Women Farmers Association (RUWFAG) is appealing to the government to discourage the adoption of industrial agriculture, because of its long term negative effects on the quality of human life and the environment.
Posyed 06 July 2011, by Phyllis D. Osabutey,The Ghanaian Chronicle, ghanaian-chronicle.com
The Lawra District Director of Non-Formal Education and member of the organisation, Rebecca Sabri, noted that unfortunately, industrial agriculture was the focus of the government’s agricultural policy for addressing food crises in the country and Africa in general.
According to her, “Today, all our food crops are chemically affected and are stored with chemicals which are killing our people daily and causing the cancers and other unknown diseases that are not curable.”
She observed that because people could not afford to go hungry during the lean season for the length of time required for chemicals to work against insects, they were forced to eat the chemicals in food, with negative effects on human life.
Speaking at a training course for traditional women leaders in Wa in the Upper West Region on Wednesday, she lamented the neglect of Africa’s traditional farming methods, questioning, “If Africa is to go by the seed grower’s policy, what is going to happen to our own seeds handed over to us by our great grandfathers?”
The training was organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), with support from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) to enhance traditional women leaders’ capacity and participation in community development, and good governance in the decentralisation process.
Madam Sabri explained that RUWFAG, as a women’s movement, was revolutionary in nature, which incorporated women farmers groups at the district and regional levels, and traditional women leaders who were expected to mobilise women farmers to be part of the movement for change.
She stated that women remained an essential link in agricultural production, because they accounted for 70% of food production, managed nearly 100% of processing activities, responsible for about 50% of maintenance of the family head, as well as engaged in 60% sales activities in the markets.
Thus, women constituted an important factor in the effort to address the current food security challenges prevalent in Africa, yet, they were not adequately recognised and factored into agricultural policies in the districts.
It is in view of this that RUWFAG seeks to wage a campaign for the recognition of women’s traditional knowledge in agricultural production, and support them build their capacities to improve their productivity.
RUWFAG also aims to raise recognition for traditional farming systems by revitalising traditional crops, traditional dishes and traditional farming methods that have sustained communities in Africa over centuries.
Touching on new policy directives on traditional women leadership in Ghana, the Paramount Queen of the Peki Traditional Area, Mamaga Amega Kofi Bra I, lamented the previous neglect of traditional women leaders’ views on critical issues such as customary laws.
She, however, commended the National House of Chiefs and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture on the recent recognition of the role of women leaders’ in national development through new directives that provided opportunities for them in the chieftaincy act.
Particularly, she mentioned the provision for traditional women leaders’ to be elected to the House of Chiefs and participate in decision-making, as well as receive allowances like their male counterparts.
She, therefore, urged her fellow women leaders to rise up to the task of upholding good customary practices, settling disputes at all levels, and ensuring the development of their communities, while serving as role models for the younger generation.
“We must unite with our male counterparts to break the barriers that limit our efforts to play effective leadership roles,” she further advised.
In a short note, the Senior Programme Manager of KAS, Dr. Isaac Owusu-Mensah, said it was important for traditional women leaders in the north to liaise with their counterparts in southern Ghana, who have had decades of experience.
He observed that the concept of traditional women leadership was a latest concept in the north, hence, they should not be comfortable with the skins, but see it as an opportunity to contribute to the development process of their communities.
He reiterated that “Traditional leaders must see the skin as an office to champion the needs and aspirations of the people they are elected to serve,” because the time where traditional authorities were pleased with festivals and greetings of politicians were over.
He further urged the women to refrain from politics, because they occupied revered positions, and stated his organisation’s willingness to support the National House of Chiefs build the capacity of traditional leaders to promote local development.
http://ghanaian-chronicle.com/news/other-news/ruwfag-opposes-industrial-agriculture/
