UN Working Group raises alarm over land, seed and livelihood crisis in Ghana's rural communities

UN Working Group on the Rights of Peasants raised concerns during the Group's recent country visit about worsening conditions facing Ghana's rural communities. The Group warned that weak enforcement of laws, environmental destruction and policy gaps are threatening livelihoods, food security and social stability. The concerns emerged during engagements with farmers, fishers and pastoralist communities, revealing a growing disconnect between Ghana's legal protections and the realities confronting rural populations.

The Group noted that the Land Act, 2020 provides accountability measures, but enforcement remains inconsistent, exposing many smallholder farmers to displacement and livelihood loss. Women and young people were identified as among the hardest hit. Climate change and illegal mining, widely known in Ghana as galamsey, were also cited as major drivers of the crisis. The Group commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his public opposition to illegal mining, describing his stance as an example of how traditional leadership can support national efforts to tackle environmental destruction.

Geneviève Savigny cautioned that Ghana's seed policy reforms must balance innovation with the protection of farmers' rights and indigenous knowledge systems. She said, "Seed governance must not exclude farmers, but instead actively involve them in shaping policies that directly affect their livelihoods." Concerns have also been raised over ongoing debates surrounding genetically modified crops, including GM cowpea trials.