The issue of student allowances for trainees in specialized colleges across Ghana has long been a subject of political debate and social concern. One group that is particularly affected yet often overlooked is the students of agricultural colleges.

In 2013, former President John Dramani Mahama eliminated trainee allowances for teacher, nursing, and agricultural students, arguing that funds should be redirected to expand access to education. Although President Nana Akufo-Addo reinstated allowances for teacher and nursing trainees in 2017, agricultural trainees were forgotten, continuing to disadvantage this critical sector of the economy.

Now that President Mahama is back in office, he has promised to continue the allowances and ensure that teacher and nursing trainees receive their allowances through the Controller and Accountant General's Department, an effort aimed at guaranteeing transparency and consistency.

However, the glaring omission of agricultural trainees from this promise raises serious concerns about fairness, equity, and a genuine commitment to agricultural development. Agricultural students are not simply learners; they are the future custodians of Ghana’s food security and rural economy. With the country's economy heavily reliant on agriculture which contributes approximately 20% to the GDP and employs more than half of the population, investing in the education of future agricultural experts is essential.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, agriculture employs about 52% of the workforce. Yet, the sector remains underdeveloped, struggling with productivity that lags behind global standards. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasizes that smallholder farmers, who make up 80% of Ghana’s agricultural producers, need modern training to improve yields and build resilience against climate change Who better led this transformation than the students currently training to become extension officers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, and food security advocates?

Excluding them from trainee allowances undermines their critical role and jeopardizes the nation’s agricultural future.
This injustice becomes even more evident when we consider that education, health, and agriculture are all pillars of national development.

Teachers shape the minds of future generations, nurses protect public health, and agricultural experts ensure food security and rural development. A balanced, progressive policy must acknowledge the indispensable contributions of all these sectors equally. Prioritizing one while neglecting the others is not only unfair but also a flawed approach that risks stagnating national progress.

Furthermore, excluding agricultural trainees from financial support may discourage many young people from pursuing studies in agriculture a sector already grappling with low youth interest and an ageing farming population. With Ghana's youth unemployment rate hovering around 12% and an additional 28% underemployed, providing financial incentives to agricultural trainees could redirect young talent into the sector. This would foster innovation, improve productivity, and reduce rural poverty.

Without this support, the existing skills gap in modern farming techniques, agribusiness innovation, and agricultural technology could widen, leaving the country vulnerable to food insecurity and over-reliance on imports.

The way forward is clear: trainee allowances must be reinstated across all essential sectors, including agricultural colleges. Any selective reinstatement would represent a political and economic injustice that must be corrected. The future of Ghana’s agricultural productivity and food security depends on it.

It is time for the political leadership of this country to move beyond rhetoric and act decisively. Reinstating allowances for agricultural trainees is not just about fairness; it is about safeguarding Ghana’s food systems, empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders, and ensuring a resilient, sustainable economy for all.

I urge agricultural stakeholders, student unions, and the public to rise to the occasion. Let’s demand accountability, fairness, and action. Ghana’s development cannot afford to leave agricultural trainees behind.

A thriving, modern agricultural sector, driven by well-supported and well-trained young professionals, is not only the backbone of our nation’s prosperity but also the essential lifeline of our future. If we fail to invest in the people who will cultivate our lands and innovate our food systems, we risk not just food insecurity but the collapse of a vital economic pillar.

Let’s be clear: no trainee should be left behind, especially not those who hold the keys to Ghana’s agricultural transformation.