ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the economic and socio-political factors that brought about changes in official attitude towards urban agriculture. Some officials are so negative to the practice of urban agriculture that they behave irresponsibly in efforts to discourage it. The higher the social class or status of urban farmers, the more willing officials are to condone the practice. In Ghana, the fear of contamination resulting from wrongful use of chemicals was expressed by one of the officials of the Agricultural Extension Services. Public opinion has played an important role in official acceptance of urban agriculture. In 1992, the personal intervention of the President of Ghana helped to further encourage positive attitude of officials towards urban agriculture. Some Ghanaian officials have always held the view that Ghana would eventually become more industrialized, and subsequently many workers would be needed in the industrial sector.
