This initiative aims to standardize sales, ensure fair pricing, and boost farmers’ earnings across the region and beyond.

This was disclosed at the GNAFF eighth delegates congress held in Koforidua, under the theme: “Uniting to Feed the Nation.”

The association emphasized that the region would work with national executives to implement a pricing strategy like rice sales, eliminating bargaining by middlemen and enhancing farmers’ incomes.

The delegates conference featured an election and swearing-in ceremony for eight new executive members whose tenure of office for the leadership is four years, with the eligibility to serve for two terms.

Additionally, each of the 33 districts and municipalities within the region has 11 executive members.

The regional executive members are Mr. Anunyam, the Chairman; Nana Odiasempa Abena Ayebea Okani, the Vice Chairman; Mr. Nartey Djangmah, the Regional Secretary; and Mr. John Boafo, the Regional Financial Secretary.

The remaining members include Mr. Joseph Lawerh, Regional Treasurer; Mr. Emmanuel Ofosu, Regional Organizer; Patience Tsako Narteh, Regional Women’s Organizer; and Mr. Michael Obeng, Regional Youth Organizer.

Mr. Emmanuel Anunyam, the current Eastern Regional Chairman of GNAFF, explained that that at the regional level the new executive members were eight and at the district level, there were 11 executive members for each of the 33 districts and municipalities.

The regional executive members are Mr Anunyam the Chairman, Nana Odiasempa Abena Ayebea Okani, the Vice Chairman, Mr Nartey Djangmah, the Regional Secretary, and Mr John Boafo, Regional Financial Secretary.

The rest are Mr. Joseph Lawerh, Regional Treasurer, Mr Emmanuel Ofosu Regional Organizer, Patience Tsako Narteh Regional Women’s Organizer, and Mr Michael Obeng, Regional Youth Organizer.

The Regional Chairman said the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen was the largest umbrella body or trade union for farmers, fishermen, and their associates in Ghana.
It was established in 1992 to provide a common voice, policy advocacy, capacity building, and agricultural commodity trading opportunities to farmers and fishermen.

Regarding the plans for Eastern Region, Mr. Anunyam said the association would laisse with the Agriculture Extension Agents to organize periodic meetings for farmers in the various districts to update them on how to be diverse in their farming activities to improve their income.

Also, about market pricing, he said the region would deliberate with the national executives on a strategy to attain a level where farm produce such as maize can be measured and bagged in kilograms with fixed prices as rice is sold in bags on the market.

“If we come to a compromise decision we shall forward our recommendations to the policy makers for consideration,” he said. “This strategy will avoid bargaining by middlemen and will boost farmers’ income.”

Naana Asi Tettey Akplehey I, Interim Committee Member of GNAFF from Accra, commended the Eastern Regional Executives for a smooth run of the congress and urged them to deliver their best to benefit farmers in all categories.

The congress was held together with officers from the Department of Food and Agriculture, Electoral Commission and national executives of GNAFF.