Stakeholders Call for Robust Reforms to the Grains Development Authority Bill in Sunyani Dialogue
Stakeholders drawn from across Ghana’s grains value chain have reiterated strong calls for urgent reforms to the Grains Development Authority (GDA) Act during a two-day high-level engagement held in Sunyani from May 7 to 8, 2025. Organized under the auspices of Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) PAVE project with support from GIZ’s MOVE Programme, the event provided a vital platform for actors within the rice, maize, and soya sub-sectors to dissect and recommend changes to the the Grains Development Authority (Amendment) Bill ahead of its planned re-introduction to Ghana’s 9th Parliament.
The meeting, a continuation of stakeholder consultations that began in October 2024 at Ejisu, was attended by farmer-based organizations, processors, aggregators, civil society actors, Members of Parliament, and technical experts. The goal was to shape a more inclusive, functional, and forward-looking law to regulate the grains industry in Ghana.
In his opening address, Mr. Gilbert Borketey Boyefio, Programmes Manager, Parliamentary Network Africa, stressed the importance of collective input to craft a Bill that meets the real needs of the grains sector. “This is about shaping the future of the entire value chain,” he said. “Your insights will help ensure that the final legislation improves the operational framework of the sector and reflects the lived experiences of its actors.”
Reviewing Key Proposals
The session began with a recap of the earlier stakeholder meeting held at Ejisu. Presented by Cynthia Dzudzor, Senior Programmes Officer, PNAfrica, the summary highlighted key stakeholder concerns, including the need for board representation from academia and farmer groups, price standardization to ensure fair returns for farmers, and clarity on oversight and tenure provisions.
Participants at the Sunyani session undertook a clause-by-clause review of proposed amendments to the existing law. The group made over a dozen recommendations aimed at strengthening the governance, operations, and financial sustainability of the Authority.
Key Proposals Included:
• Board Composition: Specific naming of major umbrella groups such as the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, National Seed Traders Association, and others to avoid ambiguity in representation. Participants also suggested rotating representation among the different grain subsectors.
• Funding Model: Provisions should be made for the Authority to raise funds internally through levies and other innovative means, ensuring sustainability beyond government subvention.
• CEO Structure: The recommendation to streamline leadership by appointing two deputies (Technical/Operations and Finance/Admin) rather than four, was broadly endorsed.
• Expanded Definitions: Inclusion of mechanization service providers, haulers, and transporters as key actors in the value chain.
• Pricing and Market Regulation: Participants advocated for mechanisms to regulate both minimum and excessive pricing while calling on government to subsidize production inputs and machinery.
Drawing Lessons from Kenya
Stakeholders were particularly inspired by Kenya’s Grain Laws, which provide practical templates for issues such as price equalization funds, declaration of interest by board members, and remuneration frameworks. Participants suggested adopting provisions that empower the GDA to establish a reserve fund to stabilize market shocks—mirroring Kenya’s approach.
One clause quoted from the Kenyan model recommends establishing “reserve or equalization funds… to support subsequent falls in market prices,” which many participants felt was critical in insulating Ghanaian farmers from volatile market conditions.
Addressing Real-World Challenges
Beyond legislative reviews, participants highlighted systemic challenges plaguing the grains sector, including:
• Lack of ready markets leading to post-harvest losses;
• High cost of production due to limited subsidies;
• Weak bargaining power of farmers vis-à-vis buyers;
• Illegal cross-border grain exports.
Participants called for stronger regulatory oversight, market creation strategies, and direct engagement with government initiatives such as GESA (Ghana Economic Support Alliance), which offers low-interest financing for value chain actors.
Parliamentary Strategy and the Way Forward
A recurring theme throughout the engagement was the need to secure strategic parliamentary support for the Bill’s re-introduction. Participants noted that the 8th Parliament’s dissolution halted progress on the Bill, making it imperative to chart a clear advocacy path with the 9th Parliament.
Participants adopted a multi-pronged advocacy plan to bring the Bill back to Parliament. This includes:
• Submission of position papers with consolidated stakeholder feedback;
• Courtesy calls on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA);
• Social media awareness campaigns;
• Radio/TV engagements to raise public interest;
• Parliamentary statements and targeted lobbying efforts.
A Gender-Inclusive Future
The session also emphasized gender sensitivity. Stakeholders unanimously agreed that at least one woman should be included on the Authority’s Board, acknowledging the vital role of women in the grains value chain.
Conclusion
The Sunyani engagement is part of a broader push to ensure participatory law-making that centers on the needs of local producers, traders, and processors. With actionable proposals now on the table and momentum building, stakeholders remain hopeful that the revised Grains Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, once passed, will usher in a new era of growth and resilience for Ghana’s grains sector.
“We are not just amending a law. We are building a future-proof sector that empowers local producers and secures Ghana’s food system,” one stakeholder remarked.
This engagement was made possible through the support of the GIZ MOVE Programme and forms part of broader efforts to strengthen public-private cooperation and policy reforms in Ghana’s agricultural value chains.
STORY By; Cynthia Afi Dzudzor
