The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) celebrated farmers in the Kumasi Metropolis at Amanfrom, under the theme: “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future”, aimed at pushing for stronger food systems and greater consumption of local produce.
The Amanfrom Prison Camp emerged the Metro Best Farmer 2025, with a portfolio of 20 years of farming, 24 acres of maize, an acre of spring onions, 900 fishes, 300 poultry birds, 270 pigs, 10 goats and 120 sheep, among others.
Other award winners in other categories were Best Livestock Farmer; Mr. Harrison Kwabena Reuben, Best Female Farmer Mad. Augustina Nhyira Ameyaw; Best Crop Farmer Mr. Fred Addo Tweneboa; Best Poultry Farmer Mr. Hubert Kaati; Best PWDs Farmer Mad. Agnes Mindaari.
The Best Agro Input Dealer went to Stephen Yaw Nyarko Ventures; Best Faith-Based Practical in Agriculture Pentecost International Worship Centre, New Tafo; Best Agro-Processing Group Nyame Nti Palm Kernel Processing Group.
Maiden awards were Best Primary School in Practical Agriculture, Oasis Christian Academy; Best JHS in Practical Agriculture, Ohwim M/A JHS (with 1.5 acre of farm) and Best SHS in Practical Agriculture, St. Hubert Seminary SHS (with 2 acres of farm).
Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi, the Kumasi Mayor, while addressing the forum under the chairmanship of Nana Kwaku Baafi II, Otumfuo’s Mentiahene, indicated that the Celebrations has been held for over four decades to appreciate farmers’ efforts to feed the nation, to boost Ghana’s economy and development.
He added that the farmers day helps the nation to deliberate upon agricultural strategies to ensure employment and food security towards an improved national economy.
The Mayor, also known as King Zuba, said the National Farmers Day is a reminder of the fact that the economy of the nation, its improvement and security are hinged on “farming”, hence the need to prioritise it and help reduce the importation of food and increase its exportation.
He called for the need to implement “good policies” to secure the future of farming for generations to come.
The Mayor indicated that the Department of Agriculture at KMA has improved agriculture in the Metropolis, despite its urban settings, disclosing that the Department trained individuals in fish farming in places such of Daban, Santasi, Bantama, Amanfrom and Nhyaieso, to help them eke out a decent living for themselves.
The Agriculture Department, as well trained and aided livestock farmers financially and technologically, at Buokrom, Akwatia Line and Mossi Zongo, where 1,920 farmers have been registered.
King Zuba disclosed Extension Officers has embarked on 720 field trips interacting with 7,891 farmers, which has helped in a 12 percent increment in vegetable production at Amanfrom.
He disclosed that an initiative dubbed “Container Gardening” has been introduced to entice the populace into urban farming.
The Mayor indicated that under the “Nkoko Nketenkete” programme, launched in Kumasi by the President last month, KMA was allocated 50,000 poultry birds, for which 10,000 have been distributed to the Bantama Constituency, with the remainder soon to be distributed evenly amongst the remaining four Constituencies under the KMA.
King Zuba indicated that deliberations are going on with stakeholders in agriculture to ensure that Farmers get the right price due them for their produce.
The mayor urged farmers and stakeholders to work hard to augment their agricultural produce while urging Ghanaians to “buy and eat” locally produced crops.
From Oswald P. Freiku, Kumasi
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