Over 5,000 Agricultural Graduates Demand Government Jobs
More than 5,000 trained agricultural graduates are pressing the government to hire them. These graduates want to fill many empty jobs in the country's agricultural sector. They argue that the large number of unemployed officers weakens important services. These services include helping farmers and caring for animals.
The graduates are worried about staff shortages at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Many qualified veterinary, crop, and extension officers have been jobless for up to seven years. Mohammed Abubakari Sadik, the Coalition Secretary, stated this fact. He noted that graduates in fields like agronomy and animal science have finished their studies. They are ready to help the nation's development. However, many remain unemployed or have jobs that do not use their full skills.
These unemployed graduates come from six public agricultural colleges. They first presented their concerns publicly in December 2024. At that time, over 1,000 trained officers were out of work. Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had promised in 2021 to recruit 1,100 officers in 2022. About half of these promised officers have been posted. However, the slow pace of placing the rest raises questions about the ministry's efforts to fix staffing problems. The graduates' skills are vital for key government projects. These include the Feed Ghana Programme and the overall Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
Mr. Sadik also criticized the current Feed Ghana Programme. This program aimed to use graduates through the National Service Scheme. This was due to the country's financial challenges, linked to its deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He pointed out several issues with the program. These include delayed allowance payments for three months. Some graduates have not received their official National Service Scheme (NSS) PIN codes. They also must submit physical monthly reports in Accra. Some ministry offices have rejected workers sent there. This is because they did not get formal instructions from their superiors.
The coalition is now appealing to President John Dramani Mahama. They also call on the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, and the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. They want the government to approve funding for hiring all qualified graduates. They also ask to finish posting the remaining officers promised in 2022. The graduates also want to move from temporary work to permanent jobs. Mr. Sadik wants the government to use digital systems for reports instead of manual ones. He also suggested using recruitment methods like those in the education and health sectors. The coalition cannot support temporary service arrangements anymore because of economic difficulties.
The situation highlights a significant challenge for Ghana's agricultural productivity. The lack of trained extension officers means farmers may not get timely advice on best practices. This can affect crop yields and overall food security. The government's ability to implement its agricultural policies effectively is directly impacted. The delay in recruitment could also lead to a brain drain, as skilled graduates may seek opportunities abroad.
The graduates are seeking a permanent solution to their unemployment. They believe their expertise is essential for the nation's food security goals. The government's response will be crucial for addressing these concerns and strengthening the agricultural sector. The outcome will signal the administration's commitment to utilizing its human resources effectively.