The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated that the allocation of GH¢3,000 to farmers affected by the dry spell in the Northern Region was justified.
The lawmaker noted that the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of citizens through social interventions.
He was responding to 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.
“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.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Food and Agriculture has indicated that the government has not promised to give the affected farmers GH¢ 3,000 but GH¢1,000. He stated that affected farmers will receive GH¢1,000 in support, not GH¢3,000.
Fertilizers were allocated through programs, including grant fertilizers for registered farmers on the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform and targeted support for vulnerable farmers via MPs, he said.
The Minister stressed the importance of adhering to instructions and proper distribution channels for fertilizer support.
“We have not declared a national disaster on the drought. We mentioned a dry spell, and a dry spell is totally different from a drought spell, which would have necessitated the declaration of a national disaster.
“A dry spell, a near drought condition—is not a drought. We have not declared a drought. It was a dry spell.
“We can play back my statement and press conferences. Number two, we have not said anywhere that we are giving GH¢3,000 to any farmer. We have not said anything there. We are going to give GH¢1,000 per farmer.”
