The Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly celebrated its 41st National Farmers’ Day with a vibrant event held in Saki, a township within the municipality. The occasion drew a broad attendance, including notable dignitaries such as Member of Parliament Hon. Joseph Akuerteh Tetteh, Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Samuel Tetteh Kwashie Morton, the Kpone Katamanso Chief Nii Tetteh Oglu II, and several assembly members. The event was marked by an engaging health screening and impressive displays of local agricultural products including various foodstuffs, livestock, fish, and eggs, reflecting the rich farming culture of the area.
To recognize outstanding contributions in agriculture, the Assembly awarded a total of thirteen farmers with essential farming tools and resources. These included fertilizer, deep freezers, motor tricycles, boots, cutlasses, hoes, and insecticides. Among these distinguished individuals, Mr. Ebenezer Nii Mensah, a farmer with 26 years of experience cultivating a 200-acre farm, was honored as the overall best farmer. His dedication and success serve as an inspiration to both seasoned farmers and aspiring youth within the community.
The celebration also spotlighted excellence across educational institutions and farming sectors. ETY International School was crowned the best primary school in farming, while Michael Camp 2 Junior High School received accolades as the best junior high school. Valley View University was recognized as the best tertiary institution for its contributions to agricultural development. Similarly, awards were given to the best youth farmer, meat processor, fish processor, agricultural worker, livestock farmer, crop farmer, woman farmer, as well as the best fisher, showcasing the diversity and dynamism within local agricultural activities.
In his remarks, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Samuel Tetteh Kwashie Morton, praised the unwavering commitment of farmers, noting the increasing appeal of farming as a sustainable livelihood. He highlighted ongoing government efforts to enhance farming infrastructure, including plans to build farmhouses for storing equipment and initiatives like the “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” project, which supports livestock farmers with funding. Hon. Morton encouraged the youth to embrace agriculture as a viable career path, reiterating that farming remains a top government priority.
Mr. Ebenezer Nii Mensah used the platform to advocate for more government backing to make farming more attractive to younger generations. He emphasized the importance of agriculture as the backbone of the nation and called for greater integration of agriculture into school curriculums in a practical, hands-on manner. He also stressed the health benefits of consuming locally grown foodstuffs as a way to reduce disease, hoping such measures would strengthen the country’s food security and inspire future generations to take pride in farming as a profession.
Source: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku