The Civil Society Coalition on Land (CICOL) has urged government to expedite action on the further development and implementation of the biofuel policy in Ghana.

The coalition says in as much as it appreciates the efforts of government at developing a biofuel policy through the Energy Commission since 2005, the draft policy has 2015 deadlines but has been on the drafting table for three years now and still counting.

In the meantime, biofuel production is going on with its attendant problems. Thus, CICOL states that its strategy will be to work with the appropriate government agencies and other stakeholders to get the policy ready in the next 12 to 18 months.

Speaking at the launch of CICOL in Accra, Ms Francisca Issaka, Chairperson of CICOL noted that even though research findings are lopsidedly negative, they also point to the fact that it is possible to develop the biofuel sector in ways that minimize challenges and take advantage of the opportunities to promote win-win outcomes in terms of land sovereignty and overall economic development.

"The biofuel opportunity promises to go terribly wrong for the poor. Appropriate socio-economic policies and actions will enable bio-fuel to contribute to Ghana's energy self sufficient without negatively affecting food and livelihood sovereignty of the poor. We all need to work together to achieve this. CICOL is ready. Are you?" she asked.

Ghanaian small scale farmers, particularly women, are facing displacement from their farm lands.

In recent times, the northern parts of Ghana have seen an influx of foreign companies engaged in jatropha and sugar-cane plantation for biofuel production.

Regrettably, some of these companies that are investing in biofuel production acquire large track of land, but only pay the farmers paltry sums for the land they utilize.

Current trends in the biofuel production, with major policy thrust globally point to many motivations. Some analysts reckon that it has been difficult to estimate the costs and benefits of production of biofuel.

In a developing country such as Ghana, biofuel production entails the use of productive lands and not marginal lands at the expense of food production for food and livelihood security.

It is exactly the areas that women congregate such as agriculture which has long been an important source of income for them, that would be under attack in the rush for biofeul production.

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Ford Kamel noted that the problems associated with land and its use transcends political, social, cultural and economic issues.

Therefore, he said it requires the collective efforts of government, the private sector and CS to address so that owners and users of land can be protected.

"The ministry is inviting CICOL to partner with government in developing the good land administration system for the country. CICOL's activities should transcend only the land rights issues into assisting communities in proper land use planning, sensitization and awareness creation, in sound environmental management and sanitation in our environment. All these affect the proper uses of our land."

Mr. Kamel urged the coalition to help safeguard the interest of the various communities within which they are operating by providing them with the necessary expert advice so that the economic life of the people are not worsened, when they enter into agreements with potential investors for land development.

Omanhene of Esikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia IV, who chaired the launching ceremony stressed that land can never be sold because if people are disposed of their land, it kills their spirit.

"When you give away land you give your blood. Economy is nothing but the management of ecology for survival. Ghana can only be ruled and developed through collective efforts but not politics," he stated.

Ms Sylvia Noagbesenu explained that CICOL is a network of civil society (CS) organizations working and advocating for equitable land tenure practices, policies and management in Ghana.

"CICOL researches into land policies, practices, usage, administration and management. It informs, educates and sensitizes communities, organizations and agencies on critical land sovereignty matters," she stated.