United Nations experts have warned that Ghana's ongoing rural and agricultural transformation risks excluding smallholder farmers, artisanal fishers, and pastoralists. This outcome is likely unless stronger political will ensures protection for vulnerable rural communities and effective implementation of existing laws and policies. The UN Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas raised these concerns.
The Working Group concluded a 10-day official visit to Ghana from May 5 to May 14. They found that despite advancements in legal frameworks, implementation gaps continue to expose rural communities to poverty, exclusion, and environmental degradation. The experts stressed that Ghana's increasing focus on mechanised and export-oriented agriculture could deepen inequality within the food system.
This situation fits into Ghana's broader economic narrative of balancing growth with inclusive development. The nation aims to modernise its agriculture and boost exports. However, this strategy must also safeguard the livelihoods of its rural population, which forms the backbone of food production. Prior initiatives, like the Planting for Food and Jobs program, also aimed at food security and modernisation. Ensuring equitable benefits for all stakeholders remains a persistent challenge.
The Working Group acknowledged Ghana's progress on human rights, agriculture, and social protection laws. However, they cautioned that "small-holder farmers, artisanal fishers and pastoralists, who constitute the actual backbone of food production, continue to suffer from poverty and exclusion." This statement highlights the critical need to bridge the gap between policy formulation and its practical benefits for rural citizens.
Looking ahead, decision-makers must address these warnings to prevent further marginalisation. The government needs to implement stronger safeguards to protect family-based farming systems. Watch for policy adjustments that foster inclusive growth, rather than creating a dual food system favouring large-scale commercial agriculture. Addressing land insecurity and the impact of illegal mining, or galamsey, will be crucial next steps.
The experts cited several reforms, including the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025 and the Social Protection Act 2025. Ghana also ratified the International Labour Organisation's Work in Fishing Convention No. 188. These legal tools provide a framework for protection, but their effectiveness depends on rigorous enforcement.
One of the most pressing challenges identified is land insecurity. Weak enforcement and regulation expose smallholder farmers to dispossession, especially in rapidly urbanising areas. Women and young people are particularly vulnerable to losing land access and livelihoods due to entrenched social norms and statutory gaps.
The Working Group also linked rising illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey, to rural poverty. Galamsey pollutes rivers, destroys farmlands, and spreads toxic chemicals like cyanide and mercury across rural communities. This environmental crisis exacerbates the economic hardship for many rural families.
Climate change poses another significant threat to rural livelihoods. Erratic rainfall, failed harvests, and declining fish stocks undermine food security. Inadequate infrastructure and limited access to finance further worsen post-harvest losses. These factors contribute to the vulnerability of farmers, fishers, and pastoralists.
The experts urged the government to establish formal consultation platforms. These platforms would ensure active involvement of farmers, fishers, and pastoralists in policy design. Such participatory approaches are vital for creating policies that truly support rural communities. They concluded that Ghana possesses the tools but needs the political will to apply them effectively.