Month: December 2023

Osagyefo Ampem Anye Amoanpong Tabrako III, Wenchi Manhene, has appealed to the government to help establish a factory dedicated to the processing of cashew.

This move, he believed, would not only benefit the people but also contribute to the economic growth of the country, as opposed to simply exporting the raw cashew beans.

Osagyefo Tabrako III made the appeal at the 39th Bono Regional Farmers’ Day celebration held in Akrobi-Wenchi in the Wenchi Municipality of the region.

The theme for this year’s event was ‘Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience.’

The event saw the recognition and rewarding of distinguished farmers who have shown exceptional commitment and hard work in promoting agriculture in the region.

Osagyefo Tabrako III said a deliberate effort was needed to create job opportunities, particularly in the form of large-scale farming, for the youth, adding that the approach would not only equip the younger generation with essential skills but also enable them to ac
tively participate in the agricultural sector.

Osagyefo Tabrako III stressed the importance of focusing on agro-processing and reviving the Wenchi Tomacan factory, which used to employ over 1000 people and had the potential to promote other farm produce such as juices and tomato puree.

Osagyefo Tabrako III highlighted the significance of expanding the Wenchi Agriculture College into a University, as well as supporting institutions like the Crop Research Institute, the Cocobod coffee seedling station, and animal husbandry to provide essential education to the farmers.

He urged all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to ensure availability of vast land and resources suitable for industrial and value-added farming practices.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, has assured farmers that lost their farmsteads in the spillage of the Akosombo Dam of the needed support.

He said the flood devastation was sure to affect food security in the region and the country , and that stakeholders would provide the needed support to revive farm holdings.

More than 40,000 people were displaced in the floods, which affected thousands of farms feeding off the river.

Dr Letsa, speaking at the regional farmers day celebration being held at the Jubilee Park in Ho, said the regional agriculture directorate was tasked to compile a list of affected farmers and holding for the needed support.

‘The Region is counting its losses, but we are also positioning ourselves to properly take stock and make the best out of the situation by documenting the most pressing needs and proffer the best prescriptions, especially for our gallant farmers to get back to work.

‘I want to assure the farmers of the affected areas that the Region will continue to
stand with them to the end. We will facilitate the process by liaising with the appropriate authorities to provide them with the necessary support, especially planting materials and fertilisers when the next season is due.

‘The Region plays a pivotal role in the nation’s food security drive and our dear nation Ghana will not turn its back on the region. We currently produce over 23 per cent of the local rice stock which has become a major staple in the average Ghanian’s diet.

‘I have tasked the Regional Department of Agriculture to come up with the most pressing needs of farmers and rank these in order of priority in readiness for any intervention by the State to assist farmers.

‘Though this devastation in the short term will impact the Region’s food situation, we are quite sure that our next breakthrough is not far from us,’ he said.

A total of 6,740 farmers have been reported affected across the Region, and Mr. William Dzamefe, Regional Agric Director, said more than 6000 hectares of cropped fields tran
slating into over 50,000 metric tonnes of various crop produce were lost.

He assured the farmers of the needed technical support to the VRCC to revive the farmsteads.

Mawuwoe Xesumali, from the Ketu South Municipality, was adjudged the best farmer for the Region, and he has some 50 acres of maize, 35 acres of rice, 20 acres of potatoes, vegetables 36 acres among others.

A women’s farmers group from Akatsi won the district women’s processing group for the Region for producing flour from potatoes, cassava, and producing soya milk among other products.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Emmanuel Gemegah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Keta in the Volta region, has urged farmers to adopt the best forms of farming systems to produce better yields.

This, he said, would promote and improve farm products for high consumption.

Mr Gemegah made the appeal during the 39th Municipal Farmers’ Day celebration held at Sasieme in the Keta Municipality.

‘Let me use this opportunity to congratulate our gallant farmers who always produce a lot through many difficulties to feed the public,’ he said.

Mr Godwin Tettey, the Keta Municipal Director of Agriculture, on his part, commended the farmers, sponsors and the public for a successful programme.

‘The best way to respect our galant farmers is to make good use of their product and award them for their hardwork.’

Mr Asafo Martin Klu from Abor-Atsukope was adjudged the Overall Best Municipal farmer of the year.

His farms include 30 acres each of maize and cassava, 15 acres of cowpea, 8 acres of sweet potato as well as one acre each of waterme
lon and Cassia farm, oil palm, coconut farm, and livestock, among others.

He received a motorcycle, knapsack sprayer, Wellington boot, fertilizers, herbicides, a cloth and a certificate.

Other award winners include Madam Janet Dosu, Mr Ebenezer Wilson Hlovor and Mr Aseye Kumahor, who were awarded for been the best Municipal crop farmer, livestock farmer and Agro-processor respectively.

The best youth farmer of the year went to Mr Augustine Dogbey, whilst Nyagavi Avorgbedor and Yao Alorde were best fish processor and Disability farmers of the year respectively.

The 39th National Farmers’ Day Celebration was on the theme: ‘Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Madam Charity Akortia, 47, has been adjudged the 2023 Overall National Best Farmer at the 39th National Farmers’ Day Celebration, held at Tarkwa, in the Western Region.

The winner, a mixed farmer in the Agona West District of the Central Region, received one million Ghana Cedis as her prize.

Theophilus Ackah, also a mixed farmer, emerged as the First Runner-up and was given a tractor, trailer and sprayer, while Kwaku Asiamah, a mixed farmer, took the Second Runner-up position, and went home with a tractor and implements.

In all, 16 Ghanaian farmers who have distinguished themselves in their businesses were awarded for their dedicated services to the nation.

The other award categories include: National Best Female Farmer, National Best Physically-Challenged Farmer, National Best Livestock Farmer, National Best Fish Processor, National Best Fisher and National Best Cocoa Farmer.

The prizes ranged from cash prizes, plaques to KIA double cabin trucks.

This year’s celebration of the Farmers’ Day was held on
the theme: ‘Delivering Smart Solutions for Food Security and Resilience’.

It was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to recognise the unwavering efforts of the Ghanaian farmer to ensure food security and agricultural growth.

In an address, Vice-President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, lauded the award winners for the feat achieved.

He lauded farmers for being the cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural growth, saying the nation was appreciative of their commitment and patriotism.

Agriculture, he said, held the key to the nation’s growth amid the global development challenges.

The government was determined to inject the requisite resources into the sector for progress, he assured.

‘There is still a lot that can be done to enhance efficiency in all the agricultural value chains,’ he noted.

Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, expressed optimism that the country would achieve food sufficiency soon given the vibrant nature of the second phase of the Planting fo
r Food and Jobs initiative.

Nana Yaw Sarpong Sriboe was the 2022 National Best Farmer.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Red Cross Society has secured funds for the procurement of essential foods and non-food items for flood victims in the Savanna and Volta Regions.

The International Federation of Red Cross, and Red Crescent (IFRC) through the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) has provided relief support of CHF462, 699.00 to the Society.

Rotary International District 9104 has also provided GH?100,000.00 to the Society to procure and distribute some items to 12,000 flood affected families in the Savanna and Volta Regions.

The items include 1050 hygiene kits (which includes bathing soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, among others for household personal hygiene) for 2,000 families.

It also includes the provision of dignity kits to 350 of the targeted females for three months and procurement of jerry cans for the affected families to enable them store clean water for cooking and drinking.

Again, a total of 4,000 jerry cans and 180,000 tablets of aqua tabs will be procured and distributed.

Mr Kwame Gyimah-Akwa
fo, President of Ghana Red Cross Society, speaking at a press conference in Accra, said his outfit was actively coordinating with Local Authorities, National Disaster Management Agencies, non-governmental organisations, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and effective response.

He said a total of 110 volunteers would be deployed to support the communities to carry out clean up campaigns, adding that ‘the aim is to clear the debris in areas where the flood water will be subsiding’.

Mr Gyimah-Akwafo noted that families residing at North and South Tongu and Buipe had suffered substantial losses, ranging from partial to destruction of their dwellings and livelihoods such as businesses and investment hence the need for the intervention.

He said the Society would conduct hygiene and sanitation campaigns twice a month for three months to clear the waste and remove all signs of traumatic events, adding that the activity would go with health promotion with emphasis on awareness against cholera and
malaria.

Source: Ghana News Agency