Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Action Aid Ghana advocates for universal land policy from the state


21-11-12    
Government has been reminded to come out with a universal land policy that will afford both male and female farmers the right to owe land without discrimination. Equal access to land will help empower rural women secure land for their farming activities since women in most deprived communities of the country, lags behind in terms of land acquisition. The Upper East Programs Manager of Action Aid, Gregory Dery, who made the call, further appealed to the state to make farm inputs available to rural farmers to enhance their crop production. More so, processing and packaging facilities should be extended to rural women to expand their businesses and expose them to external and domestic markets. Mr. Dery, was addressing participants in commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women at Bolgatanga. The day which was first established by the General Assembly in 2007 and observed on October 15 2008 seeks to recognize the critical role women play in enhancing agricultural and rural development worldwide. The day also sought to acknowledge the tireless contribution of women in improving food security. More importantly, the day is observed to help put an end to rural poverty, which is considered as the number one enemy militating against the effort of rural women. Mr. Dery was optimistic that if women are supported with the necessary farm inputs including fertilizers, issue of food insecurity would be a thing of the past. On the issue of fertilizer,  Mr.  Dery, advocated for improved fertilizer subsidy, urging the government to consider making fertilizers readily available to poor women farmers.  He also challenged government and other relevant stakeholders to help assist women financially to enable them gain access to land. Action Aid he indicated, has contributed its bit by providing improved seed that are drought resistant and of high yield to most rural women and had again supported farmers with compost making facilities.  A lot of training services, he added, had been provided to farmers, stressing, that his outfit is working with various coalitions to build the capacity of women in deprived communities. Through the training, rural women would be able to increase their crop yield, thereby reducing the hunger gap between them and their men folks. Speaking to Radio Ghana, the National Director, Widows and Orphans Movement, (WOM) Madam Betty Ayageba, highlighted the invaluable contribution of women to national development and called on all to explore avenues that will enable rural women acquire secured land for farming activities.  
GBC                                                          END                                                                IA/

No comments:

Post a Comment