Ghanaians have been asked to play their roles effectively to complement government efforts in promoting health for national development.

Ms. Evelyn Bema Darkwa, Executive Director of Human Care and Maintenance Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, who made the call, noted that sound health was a prerequisite for national progress.

She was speaking at a meeting of agricultural extension officers, farmers, administrators of non-governmental organisations, District Directors of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the media, to discuss the effects of the use of agro-chemicals and the promotion of organic farming, at Techimantia in Tano South District of Brong-Ahafo Region.

Ms. Darkwa said a survey conducted by the Foundation at Techimantia, Derma and Subreso in the district, showed that there was high use of agro-chemicals in vegetables farming without technical supervision by MoFA personnel.

She said most tomatoes, pepper, garden-eggs and other vegetables were sprayed with agro-chemicals, to facilitate growth but farmers who did not have adequate knowledge on the application of agro-chemicals.

Mrs Darkwa said the situation had adverse effects on the farmers, land, vegetables and water bodies.

She noted that poverty and low income levels motivated some of the farmers to apply the chemicals for the early harvesting of their produce.

“Even though in some cases these farmers have positive motives of applying the chemicals in order to get enough money to assist their families, they end up rather destroying the environment and water bodies,” Mrs Darkwa said.

Ms Darkwa said the Foundation would raise awareness on the effects of the wrong use of chemicals, and persistent organic pollutants, and build the capacity of vegetable farmers in the use of integrated pest control methods in farming.

It would also support farmers to adopt organic farming in the production of vegetables for domestic and for the export market, she added.

Mrs Darkwa said about 200 vegetable farmers would be trained in safety agro-chemical application and integrated pest management techniques, and 60 farmers would be supported in integrated-post management and production of organic vegetables for sale in major cities.

She said agro-chemicals sellers, law-enforcing agencies, school children and 200 vegetable farmers in the district would be educated on persistent organic pollutants and the proper use/disposal of approved agro-chemicals.

Mr. Godfred Dwamena, District Director of MoFA, called for coordination among input dealers, farmers, distributors and end consumers to promote agricultural practices.

He noted that the district was a major producer of vegetables and had won several national and regional awards, and mentioned the leading production and award winning areas as Derma-Ankaase, Techimantia and Subriso, where the Foundation had chosen to operate.

Mr Dwamena noted that the population of Ghana was increasing and farm lands were dwindling and said: “we must reduce the use of agro-chemicals that may eventually degrade our farmlands and affect our health.

“If we are able to adopt good harvesting methods, grading, packaging and effective transportation, we would be able to compete vegetables producing countries like Egypt, Israel, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire”.