Fair Trade Ghana Network (FTGN) with support from Fairtrade Africa (FTA), has developed a detailed advocacy strategy to help tackle the problems faced by producers.
According to FTGN Vice-President Madam Florence Blankson, the advocacy strategy will assist the network in addressing some challenges regarding policy formulation and public awareness of important government directives.
At a press conference in Accra, Madam Blankson said that Fair Trade will continue to make a huge difference in the lives of farmers. In effect, making an impact in communities around the world.
The event was on the theme: “Championing Sustainable Agricultural and Handicraft Production in the Fairtrade Environment.”
With the support of Fairtrade Africa, the network was established to improve collaboration with Fairtrade accredited producer organizations in Ghana. Also, it is meant to enable others to join the Fairtrade movement and obtain certification.
It seeks to support the growth of product-specific networks, influencing national trade policies, forming strategic partnerships. It also aims at providing capacity building to strengthen the work of the network and the producer organizations.
She said FTGN has plans towards identifying other sources of income for the group beyond relying on donations.
“We believe that with a sustainable source of income to support the Network, we can support our members in sourcing for a good fair trade market and improve upon their capacity and governance, to increase their incomes and wages. This in the long run will lead to poverty reduction.”
Madam Florence Blankson, Vice President of Fair Trade Ghana Network
Call for Increased Cooperation
Madam Blankson urged members to increase cooperation among their fellows on the continent in order to seriously tackle poverty. She explained that if a Fair Trade entity in Ghana wanted organic cotton, they could turn to Fair Trade producers in Mali and not outside the continent.
“We further wish to assist our members to identify and engage in additional livelihood activities. Indeed, some of our members are already engaged in such valuable practices.”
Madam Florence Blankson, Vice President
She encouraged member producers to gradually adopt a zero-waste system by turning cocoa pods into briquettes. She also encouraged compost production as part of agro-ecological practices.
Moreover, the Vice-President called for a conscious effort for local patronage of what their agriculture produces. In effect, such patronage will ensure a more sustainable economy and will raise farmers from the poverty line, she added. She also encouraged members to start focusing on modern agro-ecological practices, the goal of the Equity 2 project they started.
Furthermore, Madam Blankson lamented about the lack of markets and challenges with some buyers and certification bodies. She expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected member producers and that the Network did not have adequate resources to help them.
“Climate change also has a significant negative impact on the lives of our members and continues to do so…”
Madam Florence Blankson, Vice President
