The United Nations is urging Ghana to prioritize the rights of small-holder farmers, artisanal fishermen, and pastoralists as the country moves forward with its agricultural reforms. The UN Working Group on the rights of peasants emphasized the importance of aligning reforms with the principles outlined in the UN Declaration of the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP). Despite Ghana’s adoption of robust international and regional human rights frameworks, such as the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act and the Social Protection Act of 2025, practical implementation remains lacking.
The working group noted the persistent socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by these communities, who are vital to Ghana’s food production. The ongoing shift towards mechanized and export-oriented agriculture is seen as a threat, potentially creating a dual system favoring large-scale operations over traditional farming practices. This has exacerbated difficulties for small-holder farmers, whose ability to save and use traditional seeds is impeded by biotechnology-focused reforms and market dynamics that favor commercial seed varieties.
Land tenure insecurity further complicates matters for these farmers, with Ghana’s dual tenure system leaving them vulnerable to sudden land loss. The lack of access to credit, due to insufficient conventional collateral, presents another hurdle for small farmers and artisanal fishermen seeking to invest and grow their operations. Rapidly declining fish stocks, a result of overfishing, are also impacting fishermen, while pastoralists face exclusion and conflicts due to limited access to grazing lands.
Illegal gold mining, known locally as galamsey, compounds these issues, posing environmental threats and exacerbating the situation for local food producers. This activity results in river contamination and farmland destruction, threatening both environmental safety and public health. The UN’s call highlights the need for Ghana to integrate the needs of local communities in its agricultural policy, ensuring that they are not marginalized in favor of entrenched interests.
Ghana’s ambitious agricultural reform plan aims to achieve food self-sufficiency and boost agro-industrialization, but the UN working group insists that real progress requires a focus on the rights and welfare of those who make up the agricultural backbone. Following a ten-day visit to Ghana, the group plans to present a comprehensive report to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2026, underscoring the necessity of aligning reforms with international human rights standards.