By: Dorothy Serwah
The 2015 Farmers’ Day celebrations in the Akuapem north district of the Eastern region was held at Tinkong near Koforidua. Many dignitaries including the chief, the Municipal Chief Executive, farmers as well as the general public were present to dignify the occasion which was nationally held at Bolgatanga in the Upper -East region as well as in all districts and municipalities across the country.
Chief of Tinkong, Nana Dompreh Yaw Otumi IV, in a statement said he was happy for such an event to be held in his town adding that this year’s theme was rightly chosen as it encouraged investors and the youth to identify opportunities available in the agricultural sector.
Theme for the Farmers’ Day celebrations was dubbed “transforming Ghana, invest in agriculture”. Nana Okraku Mantey Yaw was adjudged the overall best farmer in the district for cultivaing 350 acres of oil palm, 15 acres of cassava, 20 acres of okra, 30 acres of cocoa, 5 acres of tomato , 2 acres of pear, 10 acres of coconut and 100 goats. Ebenezer is 58 years, married with 3 wives, 14 children and 3 grandchildren. He received a motorbike, a shovel and a pair wellington boots as his award for his hard work and contribution towards the agricultural sector.
Mr. Mantey in an interview ritefmonline’s Serwaah Boampong expressed his delight at the award and advised young people to take a bold step into agriculture. He was however particularly worried about poor road networks in farming communities nationwide.
2014 best farmer of the Akuapem North district, Ebenezer Agbo Tetteh also in an interview expressed his happiness for the improvement in this year’s celebrations describing it as an exceptional one. He therefore congratulated the district planning committee, agric officers and all who contributed to the success of the event for their immense contribution.
The chief, Nana Dompreh Yaw Otumi IV was happy for the massive improvement in the agricultural sector, saying that the youth some years ago were not interested in the sector but who now show enthusiasm to amass wealth through engaging in crop production as well as animal farming.
He has therefore pleaded with government to improve the sector through policies and programs that will equip farmers to adopt modern and improved methods of farming, as this was a sure way to give a strong back bone to our ailing economy.
Source: ritefmonline.org
