Langtaa Cooperative Farmers Association trains members on group dynamics and governance to strengthen local advocacy in Nandom Municipality

The Langtaa Cooperative Farmers Association (Langtaa) in the Nandom Municipality has trained its members in group dynamics and good governance to enhance their ability to influence policy reforms and engage in effective local-level advocacy.

Held at Kambaa under the Forest and Farm Facility project funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the training brought together 101 farmers, 86 females and 15 males, from six groups across Langtaa’s operational communities: Mwinbeterbangfo, Enye 1, Kpenye, Nyogtaa, Wonewulu and Enye-Kambaa.

Project Manager Mr Stanilaus Nasaal led the sessions, using a practical water brigade role-play to demonstrate elements of group dynamics such as interaction, leadership, and behaviour.

He said the training was designed to equip the farmers with practical governance skills to strengthen internal management, improve collaboration, and build capacity for policy engagement.

Mr Nasaal urged participants to uphold shared values, mutual respect and cooperation to ensure cohesion, noting that large group sizes, conflicting opinions and weak interpersonal relationships often undermined unity.

He further emphasised good governance principles,including participation, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, as essential for keeping farmer groups effective and sustainable.

Executive Director of Langtaa, Mr Godwin Kuuim Tietaah, said the training aimed to build strong leadership and promote shared responsibility, stressing that well-organised farmer groups were vital to shaping local development outcomes. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained, adding that clear communication and trust were key to group longevity.

Mr Tietaah reaffirmed Langtaa’s commitment to supporting farmer associations and strengthening community structures, describing empowered groups as central to meaningful grassroots development.

Participants expressed gratitude for the initiative. Madam Esther Nawaa of the Mwinsobangfo group said the lessons learned would help improve group management. Madam Belindicta Kyaa of the Nyogtaa group added that she now understood the need to support vulnerable members and to avoid expecting equal contributions from everyone.