Posted 6th December 2023                           BY:OBED ANNAN (SNR. INF. ASST.)

39TH FARMERS´ DAY CELEBRATION-UDEMA

The Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and its partners celebrated the 39th Farmers’ Day     Celebration on Friday, 1st December 2023 at Mbradan School Park on the theme:’’ Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience’’.

Nana Kwame Kumah III-Mradanhene, Denkyira Mansehene and Chairman for the celebration disclosed that the day was a great day for fishers and farmers in Ghana. He indicated that farming is not an easy work likewise all other work but it does not mean it is a punishment for those engage in it. He thanked the organizers for the honor given him on this special day and accepted to chair the celebration.

Nana Obeng Nimoh- Municipal Agric Director Upper Denkyira East disclosed that the celebration of Farmers’ Day was is a date set aside for all farmers and we should celebrate and honor it. He used the opportunity to wish all farmers Afehyia pa.

He indicated that the theme for this year’s celebration was very appropriate because most of us here are small scale farmers and it is through our collective efforts that we produce to feed the growing population of our dear country as well as raw materials to feed our local industries.

He added that he took the opportunity to advice farmers present to try to form cooperatives so that they can enjoy the benefits like reduced prices for inputs due to bulk purchase and bargain for food prices for their produce as the market women.

He announced that come next year, the Planting for Food and Jobs phase 2 will address most of these challenges. He wished all farmers must see the need to form groups. He noted that it is his dream to see that all commodity farmers will form groups at their various communities and have an apex group at the district level to fit into the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs.

He emphasized that Extension Officers work in operational areas so he urged all farmers to get closer to them for technical advice. He congratulated the award winners and seized the opportunity to say a big Ayekoo to all farmers.    

Dr. Daniel Accoüor- Ag. Municipal Health Director Ghana Health Service Upper Denkyira East disclosed that 1st December every year is World AIDS Day. He indicated that the celebration is used to sensitize, create awareness and educate everyone that AIDS is real. He added that stigmatization must stop among people.

He urged to everyone that anytime they want to have sex with their partners to use condoms to protect themselves to avoid any unwanted sexually transmitted diseases. He appealed to everyone to play his/her role to change the situation of negative taught of HIV AIDS people.

The Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Ebenezer Appiah Forson expressed the appreciations of the president of the republic His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Central Regional Minister Hon. Justina Marygold Assan and the Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Festus Awuah Kwofie to all hardworking farmers and fishers a happy Farmers’ Day celebration.

He disclosed that this was the day Ghanaians show case to the whole world that there is the need to recognize and appreciate our farmers and fishers whether peasant, small medium or large-scale crop or livestock farmers and those along the value chain.

He indicated that we should be very concerned about our food security in all aspects, given our fast-growing population and the impact of climate change which we are witnessing. He added that if the climate change is not managed collectively, it will have a negative impact on our ability to feed ourselves and to secure the future of ourselves, children and posterity.

He noted that our gallant farmers are providing food for the growing population, providing raw materials for the local industries and for export. He emphasized that it is through their hard work that we get our foreign exchange for development. And when enough food is produced for the growing population, feed our local industries and still export, the country indeed is delivering smart solutions towards enhancing food security in our ever-changing global climate.  

Hon. Ebenezer Appiah Forson again disclosed that it is in fulfilment of this that the government is assisting farmers including youth in diverse ways to increase production, make farming attractive and create jobs and still focus on sustaining agriculture.

He again indicated that the government has put some interventions place to assist farmers and they are:

• Planting for Food and Jobs
• Planting for Export and Rural Development
• One District One Warehouse
• Free Supply of Cocoa Seedlings
• Free Supply of Coconut and Oil Palm Seedlings
• Recruitment of Youth for Afforestation Program
• Cocoa Mass Spraying Exercise
• Formation of Cocoa Farmers Cooperatives
• Recruitment of Youth for Cocoa Pruning Exercise

He again added that under the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) program, the Minerals Commission through the Department of Agriculture and the Municipal Assembly, farmers were given 8,000 free coconut seedlings to 286 farmers.

He again noted that, additionally 30,928 oil palm seedlings were also supply to 544 farmers with the intervention having a positive impact on the high number of youths participating in this year’s program.

He again emphasized that Cocoa Extension and Health Division (CEHD) also nursed 129,000 cocoa seedlings at Kontokrom and distributed free of charge to farmers. And the seedlings were supplied to treat and newly established farm in the zone.

Hon. Ebenezer Appiah Forson further disclosed that it is the commitment of the NPP Government under the leadership of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo to sustain these achievements in our agricultural sector by a continuous acceleration of its development. He was therefore pleased that this year’s theme addressed a practical solution to be self- sufficient in the development of our dear nation.

He expressed the appreciation of the government, the Municipal Assembly, Assembly Members and the people of Ghana to all companies, businesses, organizations and individuals who supported in cash and in kind to the success of the Farmers’ Day Celebration.

He congratulated all the award winners for their tremendous efforts and sacrifices to help achieve a better Ghana. He urged them to serve as examples and a source of inspiration to the people in their communities and the Municipality as a whole.    

 Mr. Samuel Amoah from Tegyamoso was adjudged the Overall Best Farmer in the Municipality. He took for his prize a Tricycle, Mattress, Knapsack Sprayer, 2 Pairs of Wellington Boot, 4 Cutlasses, Weedicides, 2 Fungicides, 3 Plastic Chairs, Bars of Key Soap and others.

The 2022 Best Farmer, Mr. Adama Musah handed over the crown to Mr. Samuel Amoah the 2023 Best Farmer. He indicated that the work load is now on his shoulders to do better to be the best of the best.

A total of 10 farmers, 1 Agric Extension Officer and 1 Cocoa Health Extension Officer were awarded.

In his closing remarks, Nana Chairman urged the Municipal Best Farmer not to sleep on his award but to work hard to represent the Municipality at the Regional Level and even at the National Level.