The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has defended the government’s allocation of GH¢3,000 to farmers affected by the dry spell in the Northern Region, stating that the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of citizens through social interventions.
This follows concerns raised by some members of the Minority on Parliament’s Finance Committee over the Finance Minister’s request for GH₵500 million from the Contingency Fund to address the ongoing drought impacting eight regions.
The Minority also questioned the timing and rationale behind the fund request, as well as the decision to reduce the budgets of the Agriculture and Road Ministries to raise over GH₵8 billion to tackle the issue.
However, the Majority Leader, in response to the claim on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, October 16, defended the government’s decision to support the farmers in that manner.
“What is wrong if our farmers are getting GH¢3,000. Farmers have lost their livelihoods. Mr Speaker, the farmers in the north have lost their livelihoods, especially the women. They have lost their millets and maize, and the government is giving them cash and feed should we watch them die? Mr Speaker, No.
“This government believes in social interventions and is supporting them. So, I think that we should continue to support the government in undertaking this exercise. However, I agree with the suggestion that there should be greater transparency,” he stated.
The Northern part of the country, in August 2024, grappled with a severe drought that sparked widespread concerns about food security and the livelihood of thousands of farmers.
The region went without rain for over two months, with the extended dry spell stunting crop growth and leaving farmers with little hope for a successful harvest.
