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Estate developers’ encroachment on farm lands threat to food security – DAA Centre Manager
The Centre Manager, DAA Fisheries Training Centre at Kokrobite, Mrs Emelia Nortey has disclosed that the ongoing encroachment of estate developers on farmlands in the country has been one of the challenges confronted by rural women farmers.
That, she said has made it difficult for women to have access to land and farmstoo make food available for all.
Mrs Emelia Nortey underscored that, rural women are the backbone of our communities, often working tirelessly behind the scenes, yet their impact reverberates far and wide.
She, therefore, urged chiefs and individual land owners to stop selling farmlands to estate developers in order to reserve farmlands for farming.
She made this observation during the International Day for Rural Women celebration which took place at Kokrobite in the Greater Accra Region on Monday.
The event organised by the Development Action Association (DAA) was supported by the GIZ-implemented Sustainable Employment through Agribusiness (AgriBiz) programme on the theme “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All”.
The celebration saw in attendance 400 rural women farmers who strongly expressed the needed support for rural women to ensure good food is made available for all.
To further this, the women advocated for a policy on aquaculture biosecurity to ensure fish farming safeguards the ecosystem.
Ms. Rosemary Abbey, Director, Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, in a speech delivered on behalf of Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson said the Ministry is committed to advancing the agenda of women in programmes and projects.
Highlighting some of the initiatives introduced by the Ministry and its Agencies to address some challenges confronting women in fisheries and aquaculture, she noted that, under the FAO, NORAD funded project “Empowering Women in Small-Scale Fisheries for Sustainable Food Systems” the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines and Good practices have been translated into five (5) Ghanaian languages and distributed to fish processors to create awareness for the adoption of best practices.
The languages are Nzema, Fante, Ga, Ewe, and Gonja.
Additionally, the Ministry and Fisheries Commission in partnership with the Ghana Standards Authority, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is implementing the Safe Fish Certification and Licensing Scheme (SFCLS).
The Scheme, which audits the catching, landing, transporting, processing, packaging, storage, and marketing of fish along the value chain, will guarantee consumption.
She commended women for the tremendous work done to ensure good food is made available for all.
Women contribute about 60 per cent to agriculture development in Ghana, and almost all are smallholder farmers of which about 95% are rural dwellers. To appreciate the contribution of rural women, the United Nations has earmarked 15th October of every year to commemorate rural women, hence International Day of Rural Women.
Mrs. Lydia Sasu, Executive Director of DAA stressed that “the proposal is the need for an aquaculture biosecurity plan to curb business behaviours that damage the ecosystem. The plan should ensure fish farming protects wild species and promotes healthy, productive, and resilient water-use ecosystems, including domestic jobs and services”.
Ms Mabel Simpeh in a speech delivered on behalf of Joseph Nyarni Stephen, MCE – Ga South Municipal Assembly emphasized that rural women play a key role in the development of their communities by preserving cultural heritage while embracing progress and modernity hence it is imperative to recognize the vital role they play in society.
He noted that the conversation about women must go beyond mere words and ensure that rural women have access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to adapt to the challenges of our rapidly changing world.
Hon Joseph Nyarni Stephen pledged to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to create an environment that is conducive to the growth and development of rural
women.
“We will invest in programs and initiatives that promote gender equality, empower rural women, and recognize their vital role in shaping our municipality’s future”.
The programme saw a display of primary and value-added products of members of the association.
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
