The UN Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas urged Ghana on Thursday ensured that the rights of small farmers, artisanal fishermen and pastoralists are fully taken into account in the implementation of its planned agricultural transformation in line with the principles of the agreement UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP).
The working group specified that while Ghana has a robust human rights framework in relation to these sectors through the passage of the Act Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025The Social Protection Act 2025and the International Labor Organization Work in the Fisheries ConventionThere remains a “persistent gap” between the laws and their practical application on the ground. The experts noted that pastoralists, artisanal fishermen and smallholder farmers continue to suffer from poverty and exclusion despite forming the backbone of food production in Ghana. According to the working group, these activities face both socio-economic and environmental challenges that threaten their livelihoods and ultimately the food security of the population.
The UN group said continued promotion of mechanized and export-oriented agriculture risks entrenching a dual food system that prioritizes the interests of large-scale commercial agriculture while marginalizing the family-based agricultural sector.
These risks are already beginning to materialize as small farmers face increasing difficulty using and saving traditional seeds as recent biotechnology-focused seed reforms and market shifts promote commercial and breeder-controlled varieties over farmer-managed seed systems. Small farmers also faced insecure land tenure due to the country’s dual land tenure system, which exposes them to sudden expropriation with limited legal recourse. Furthermore, small farmers as well as artisanal fishermen face a credit gap as their inability to provide conventional collateral prevents them from making investments.
In addition, artisanal fishermen faced increasing pressure from rapid declines in fish stocks Overfishingwhile pastoralists experienced exclusion because their nomadic lifestyle was not accommodated within a governance framework designed for permanent employment. They also faced each other Conflicts with sedentary farmers due to their limited access to pastures and water sources.
Additionally, the working group highlighted that Ghana is grappling with illegal gold mining, known as galamsey, which is a serious problem Danger affects environmental safety and worsens the situation of farmers. It was explained that this activity, driven by powerful interests, was leading to the contamination of rivers, the destruction of farmland and the spread of heavy metal pollution far beyond mining sites, making it not only an environmental emergency but also a public health and national food security issue.
The Working Group stressed that for Ghana to realize the full potential of its agrarian reform, it must direct the implementation of its policies to prioritize the needs of local communities responsible for food production rather than serving entrenched interests.
Ghana drove one Agrarian reform This includes three key initiatives aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency, boosting agro-industrialization and promoting investment in agricultural infrastructure. The UN group’s statement concludes a 10-day visit to Ghana; It will submit a report on the entire visit to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2026.
