Mr. Bernard Sarfo Asamoah, a 63-year-old farmer who does mixed farming, was named Overall Best Farmer for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) at this year’s Farmers and Fishers’ Day event in Accra and received a tricycle as a prize.
Mr. Asamoah cultivates cassava, plantain, cocoa, tomatoes, and eggplants. He also turns cassava into gari and runs one of Accra’s cleanest and best-managed goat farms.
The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Odododiodio, Hon. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie, Assembly members, AMA staff, traditional rulers from Ga State, religious organizations, community leaders, members of the fishing and farming communities, and the media were all present at the awards ceremony, which was held to commemorate National Farmers and Fishers’ Day within the Accra Metropolis.
A 3-inch water pump, four bags of fertilizer, a wheelbarrow, and a knapsack sprayer were awarded to Hudu Abdul Mumuni, who was named Best Climate Smart Crop Farmer for almost thirty years of growing vegetables. Meanwhile, John Blavo, the founder of Gokens Farm, won Best Environmentally Friendly Livestock Farmer for his poultry, small ruminant, and dog business. He also received a large deep freezer, a wheelbarrow, and three bags of layer mash.
A poly tank, a bag of fertilizer, a blender, a pressing iron, a knapsack, and two watering cans were awarded to 62-year-old widow Faustina Sowlana as Best Female Farmer for her efforts in the production of melon seed (agushie), groundnuts, beans, okro, pepper, and plantains.
A deep freezer was given to Sarah Norkor Okaijah, a mother of seven from Chorkor who was named Best Fish Processor after more than 40 years in the business; a poly tank, a bag of fertilizer, a wheelbarrow, and a knapsack were given to Simon Yaw Ayivor, a 68-year-old security officer who was named Best Backyard Farmer for converting unused space into a productive urban farm; and a small freezer was given to Azuma Noah, a market enumerator who was named Best Agricultural Extension Agent.
Additionally, Accra Academy and AME Zion ‘A’ Basic School received dustbins, knapsacks, watering cans, wheelbarrows, spades, compost, fertilizer, a water hose, hoes, and wellington boots for their school farm projects after being named the Best Senior High School and Best Junior High School, respectively, in Practical Agriculture.
The day was a celebration of Ghana’s survival, culture, and future, according to Abola Mantse, Nii Ahene Nunoo III, who chaired the event.
He noted that the theme, “Grow Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” was more than just a catchphrase; it was a call to action rooted in the daily labor of farmers and fishermen whose hands tilled the soil and sustained the country.
In a keynote speech, Mayor Allotey announced the creation of a new Education Support Fund with GHC 50,000 in seed money for the children of the city’s farmers and fishermen.
He clarified that the fund’s purpose was to provide scholarships and school fees for their offspring, ensuring that no child would be denied an education because their parents worked in agriculture or fishing.
In a statement, the MP for Odododiodio remarked that the occasion was more than simply a formal occasion; it was a chance to pay a deep and sincere tribute to the men and women whose labor keeps the nation afloat.
The MP went on to say that efforts were being made to secure funding in order to fully operationalize Jamestown Harbour and increase its capacity. This would involve the introduction of manufactured boats to increase fishing efficiency and the establishment of a small fish processing facility in Odododiodio to enhance the value of the catch and assist fishermen in obtaining better prices.
Source: newsthemegh.com