Fair Trade Africa has said it is the responsibility of the media/ press to disseminate information about the working conditions of farmers in Africa.
Speaking at FairTrade Awareness Media Capacity Building Workshop in Kumasi, Mr. Abubakar Benjamin Afful mentioned that the living conditions of majority of farmers in Africa is not worth their numerous contributions offered towards the growth of the continent.
Over 58% of farmers, he raised currently live below the poverty line and that a higher number of them do not earn much per day.
“We have realized that majority of farmers are not able to send their kids to school let alone make savings, their standards of living is below belt despite their major contributions towards the growth of Africa” he stated.
Mr Abubakar who was passionate about his statement made a strong call that throwing more light on their welfare will give policy makers and buyers both local and international a better understanding of their condition and perhaps introduce measures to address their situation.
He brought to light a strong assertion that “everyone who works has the right to a just remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity”.
He, therefore, implored journalists to bring to the limelight the voice of farmers for the needed intervention.
Fairtrade Africa
Fairtrade Africa was established in 2005 in Tanzania- Africa.
It is a global movement/Non governmental Organisation that seeks to movement which addresses the inequality of conventional trade by supporting smallholder farmers and workers to secure better terms of trade.
It aims at supporting members to strengthen their organizations in line with Fairtrade standards, improve and increase members ability to access its markets and engage members to advocate for their interests and take active ownership of the global Fairtrade system.
Fairtrade is currently implementing the West Africa Cocoa Programme in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and it aims at empowering and building the professional capacity of Fairtrade cooperatives so that they can use their premiums more strategically.
Source: Joe Marfo||newstimesgh.com