By Michael Foli Jackidy
Gbadzeme (V/R), Oct 05, GNA – Okusie Okorforobour Agyeman VII, Chief of Avatime-Gbadzeme in the Ho West District, has called on the government to introduce modern, sustainable farming practices that will address the unique challenges of the region’s landscape.
Okusie Agyeman emphasized that the land in Avatime-Gbadzeme is rich in nutrients, making it ideal for growing a variety of crops.
However, the mountainous and valley-like terrain of the area poses significant challenges for farmers, who find it difficult to cultivate their crops effectively.
Speaking at the press launch of the Avatime Amu Festival (Amufest 2024) on Friday, Okusie Agyeman said: “Our land is naturally fertile and does not require the use of chemicals for cultivation,
“However, the challenging terrain makes farming difficult.
“We are appealing to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to help us by introducing the best farming techniques that will allow us to make the most of our land.”
Avatime-Gbadzeme is particularly known for its lush vegetation and the cultivation of the highly prized mountain brown rice, a nutritious staple.
Yet, Okusie Agyeman pointed out that beyond the difficulty of farming the land, the lack of infrastructure—especially road access—further hampers the community’s ability to transport farm produce to markets.
“The poor state of our roads is a serious problem,” he explained. “The main access road leading to Gbadzeme is in a deplorable condition, making it extremely difficult for us to transport our farm produce to consumers.”
The chief revealed that despite several appeals to the Ho West District Assembly and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council to fix the roads, no progress has been made.
He therefore urged the assembly to at least deploy DRIP machines to make the road passable before the main Amu Festival in November.
Okusie Agyeman also used the opportunity to decry the destruction of Ghana’s natural resources, particularly the degradation of water bodies and forest reserves due to illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.
“I would like to make a strong appeal to the government and law enforcement agencies to step up their efforts in combating galamsey. The unchecked destruction of our environment will lead to severe environmental and health disasters for the entire country,” he warned.
“Let us hold fast to the values of patriotism and respect for the land, which our forefathers fought to preserve. It is our duty to protect it for future generations,” he stated.
The Avatime Amu Festival, a celebration of the community’s cultural heritage, agriculture, and natural environment, is an annual event that draws attention to the production of mountain brown rice and other vital resources. This year’s celebration will culminate in a grand durbar in November.
GNA