Thousands of graduates from Ghana’s six public agricultural colleges are calling on the government to approve financial clearance for recruitment, citing a backlog of over 5,000 unemployed officers.

Coalition Secretary Mohammed Abubakari Sadik stated that qualified veterinary, crop, and extension officers have remained jobless for up to seven years, even as staff shortages persist at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The coalition, representing graduates from institutions including Pong-Tamale, Kwadaso, Ejura, Ohawu, Damongo, and Wenchi, highlighted that a 2021 pledge to recruit 1,100 personnel has only been partially fulfilled.

Mr Sadik noted that while some were deployed, the remaining personnel face uncertain futures despite their expertise being vital to national initiatives like the Feed Ghana Programme and the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Concerns were also raised regarding the Feed Ghana Programme’s implementation.

Graduates reported three-month delays in allowance payments, missing National Service Scheme (NSS) PIN codes, and the logistical burden of submitting physical reports in Accra.

Some ministry offices have reportedly rejected personnel due to a lack of formal communication.

The coalition is appealing to President John Dramani Mahama, Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku, and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to grant immediate financial clearance and transition graduates into permanent roles.

They are also advocating for digital reporting systems and a recruitment model similar to those utilised in the health and education sectors.