The GA South Municipal Assembly on 6th December celebrated the 35th Farmers day Celebration at the forecourt of the Assembly to reward hardworking farmers for their massive contributions to the development of the Municipality and the country as a whole.
The Theme for this year’s Farmers Day celebration was "Enhancing Small Scale Agriculture Towards Agribusiness Development".
The colourful event was graced by Municipal Chief Executive, Municipal Co-ordinating Director, The Chief of Ngleshie Amanfro-Nii Kwashi Gbolor IV, the Municipal Agricultural Director, Chief Superintendent of Amanfro Divisional Police Command, Chiefs and Elders, Heads of Departments, Past Hon. Assembly Members, Staff of the Assembly, The Media and the general public.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Joseph Nyarni Stephen in his address commended the farmers and fishermen for their hard work and tireless efforts in providing food for the Country. He reassured small scale farmers who are unable to do much because of lack of technological tools of the Government’s intention to assist them. “The government under the leaderships of His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has taken concrete steps to meet them halfway. This assistance includes flagship programmes such as Planting for food and Jobs, Rearing for Food and Jobs and Planting for Export and Rural Development”, he stated.
He also stated that, the Assembly has formed a taskforce to deal with the sand winners by MUSEC to curb the illegal sand winning activities destroying farmlands. HE added that, the Assembly would support One Hundred Farmers (100) with Six Thousand coconut seedlings under the PERD and also support the local poultry industry with improved cockerels. He entreated interested households to register with the Department of Agriculture for the supply of seedlings and cockerels come 2020.
The Municipal Agric Director for the GA South Municipality, Mrs. Dorinda Akpene Agar also commended the farmers for their hardwork and informed the farmers of the department’s plan to collaborate with a private investor, to reduce post-harvest losses by constructing a pack house and establish community market, certification of farmers within the municipality to access export market to improve farmer’s livelihood.
In all, 12 distinguished farmers were awarded with farming and fishing gears, which included, mattresses, wellington boots, cutlasses, agro chemicals, bicycles, fishing nets and fridges.The overall best farmer award went to Mr Philip Gyaba from Kyerewere. He received a tricycle wellington boots, mattress, agro chemicals, among others.
