Agric Minister commended for moves to transform agric sector
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Bryan Acheampong, has been commended for transforming
Ghana’s agricultural landscape, making significant strides in innovation and development.
He has also been commended for bringing changes in the celebration of this year’s National Farmers Day.
Mr George Kwarteng, a farmer from the Eastern Region, in an interview said, “Generally speaking, the five-day celebration of our able farmers was a success, although the dynamics of the celebration were slightly changed to enrich the general celebration of our gallant farmers, it was a great success.”
He said the addition of an awards night and dinner to the programme was a good initiative, but added that there was room for improvement in subsequent ones.
Mr Kwarteng suggested that the criteria used in selecting the various award winners must be properly laid out to the general public.
“Under his leadership, the most significant day on the agricultural calendar, National Farmers’ Day, witnessed remarkable changes breaking away from the traditional cash prize rewards,”he said.
This year’s celebration included the presentation of plaques and citations to the national winners.
Mr Francis Ofori, a farmer from the Volta Region, said, “This year’s farmer’s day celebration was very great and colourful. I must commend the minister and the entire Agric Ministry for their dedication towards rewarding our gallant farmers. We really appreciate it and hope to see more in the coming years.”
“The Minister organised an awards dinner, providing a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for the winners, a stark contrast to the usual outdoor durbars,” he said.
This year’s Farmers’ Day celebration was under the theme “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience”.
In a strategic move, the national celebration was relocated from Accra to Tarkwa in the Western Region, allowing for broader participation across the country.
Held at the University of Mines and Technology Auditorium, it crowned Charity Akortia as the 2023 National Best Farmer, along with other distinguished winners.
The National Farmers’ Day festival, an annual event since 1985, was extended to a five-day Agricultural Fair and Grand Durbar under the Minister’s tenure.
The extension served as a platform for farmers to network, learn about new technologies, and form beneficial partnerships.
The Agrifest Ghana 2023 exhibition showcased the agricultural diversity of all 16 regions, offering a glimpse into the country’s rich agricultural heritage.
Regional and district celebrations complemented the national event, with various award categories recognising the contributions of farmers across Ghana.
