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Agricultural expert Dr. Joseph Opoku Gakpo has urged the Ghanaian government to prioritise investment in agricultural extension services and research to safeguard national food security. Speaking in observance of World Food Day, Dr. Gakpo emphasised that strengthening the link between scientific innovation and the farming community is essential for improving crop yields and ensuring that food remains accessible to all citizens as a fundamental right.
A central focus of Dr. Gakpo’s appeal is the proposed Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Bill. He noted that this legislation is crucial for regulating and modernising extension services across the country, which would significantly enhance the quality of support provided to farmers. By formalising these advisory systems, the expert argued, the government can create a more structured environment where agricultural breakthroughs are effectively communicated and implemented on the ground.
Dr. Gakpo pointed out a significant imbalance in the current ratio of extension officers to farmers, which hampers the effective delivery of technical knowledge and advice. He argued that addressing this gap requires more than just hiring additional personnel; it necessitates a focus on building trust between extension officers and the rural communities they serve. Effective communication is the cornerstone of fostering the adoption of modern farming techniques that can transform the nation's agricultural landscape.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Gakpo called for a shift in how agricultural research is viewed, moving it from laboratories directly into the hands of those who feed the nation. He maintained that without adequate funding and a robust legal framework, Ghana's goals for food sovereignty and security will remain difficult to achieve. He urged policymakers to treat food access as a critical priority to ensure that no Ghanaian suffers from food insecurity.