Dr. Peter Kwesi Terkper Declares Intent To Contest GNAFF National Presidency

Dr. Terkper made this announcement during a meeting with the Greater Accra Regional Executives of the Association, where he commended them for their tireless efforts and commitment to strengthening the Association at the grassroots level.

Addressing the executives, Dr. Terkper emphasized that his decision to seek the national leadership of GNAFF stems from a deep sense of duty to elevate the Association and improve the welfare of its members. “When you take a decision to lead in any capacity, you must ensure you leave the position in a better shape than you found it,” he remarked.

At the core of his vision is the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk, with a particular focus on pension and healthcare support for aging members. Dr. Terkper believes that the time has come for Ghanaian farmers to enjoy the dignity of a structured retirement system. “After a certain age, farmers need something dependable. With our numbers, we can work towards our own pension scheme that provides monthly stipends and health coverage,” he stated. Drawing on his experience as a board member of Enterprise Insurance, he proposed the development of a tailor-made pension scheme to ensure financial security for retired farmers.

Dr. Terkper also addressed the need to modernize agriculture in Ghana. He called for a shift from the traditional, labour-intensive methods to mechanized and technology-driven practices, which would make farming more attractive and profitable. “The days when people had many children just to work on farms are behind us. We must embrace technology to reduce stress and increase output,” he said.

He encouraged professionals—lawyers, doctors, and civil servants—to see farming as a viable investment avenue. Citing examples from Ivory Coast, he highlighted how individuals can successfully own and manage farms through the services of agricultural officers, without being physically present on the land.

Outlining his broader agenda, Dr. Terkper spoke on key policy areas including fair pricing of farm produce, the establishment of warehouse systems and buffer stock mechanisms, the use of bill of exchange models for produce marketing, and the bold idea of creating a Farmers’ Bank. This bank, he explained, would facilitate access to low-interest grants and credit facilities tailored to the specific needs of farmers and fisherfolk.

The meeting also saw a strong endorsement from the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GNAFF, Mr. Vincent Mensah, who applauded Dr. Terkper for his tireless efforts and personal financial commitment in supporting the reactivation of the Association. Mr. Mensah described Dr. Terkper as the kind of transformational leader GNAFF needs—someone capable of grounding the Association firmly enough to withstand any turbulence. He urged delegates across the country to throw their full support behind Dr. Terkper to enable him to lift GNAFF beyond its current challenges and reposition it for sustainable growth.

Dr. Peter Terkper, who currently serves as Head of Treasury and Trade Finance for West and North Africa at Wilmar International, is widely respected for his integrity, strategic thinking, and commitment to inclusive growth. His decision to run for the presidency of GNAFF is already generating excitement among stakeholders, with many hopeful that his leadership will bring meaningful transformation to Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Delassie Mabel Awuku
GNAFF REGIONAL SECRETARY