By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Essikado (WR), Dec. 6, GNA – Mr. Eric Amoasi, a 57-year-old farmer from Kansaworondo in the Essikado-Ketan Constituency of the Western Region, has been adjudged the Metropolitan best farmer. Â
He took home a tricycle, and other farming equipment.
Mr. Amoasi while thanking the Assembly for the recognition called for financial assistance to encourage more youth to venture into agriculture.
He said: “We are also losing lands meant for farming for other industrial activities which may affect food security in the future”.
Mr. Jonathan Aidoo took the best farmer within the disability category, while Madam Esi Dagomba was adjudged the Best Fisher processor.
Ahmed Yussif took the best for youth in agriculture.
Inshore fisher went to Mr. Isaac Eshun with John Bosomtwe taking the best Canoe while, Amos Ackon took the best aquaculture.
Institutional Awards went to GNAT, Ntarmakrom JHS, and Saint James Anglican Basic in Akromakrom.
Mr. Fredrick Faustinus Faidoo, the Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, said the Assembly acknowledged the efforts of farmers at feeding the growing population, industries and contributing towards the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
This year’s theme, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future”, serves as a reminder that the future of the country rests on the collective commitment to food security, sustainable agriculture, and the empowerment of those who produce the food every single day.
It also aligns strongly with the government’s renewed effort to modernize agriculture through technology, value addition, commercial scale production, and the build-up of strong agricultural cooperatives.
“In Sekondi-Takoradi, agriculture remained a vital pillar of livelihood, especially for residents in rural and peri-urban communities, from Adiembra to BU, from Eshiem to Whindo, from Kojokrom to Kansaworado, from Essikado to New Takoradi and Sekondi.”
He noted that fishers, processors, crop farmers, coconut farmers, vegetable growers, backyard gardeners, and poultry farmers continued to demonstrate that agriculture was not merely an occupation but a sacred responsibility.
“Agricultural Practices, focusing on improved crop management, soil fertility, pest control, climate-smart methods, and postharvest handling were undertaken by extension officers”.
A total of 1,020 farmers made up of 598 males and 422 females were directly engaged.
He reported that 50 groups, comprising 657 individuals and eight (8) institutions, had already been registered onto the Feed Ghana Programme portal and awaiting inputs to commence full scale production.
The MCE said through the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) and the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), the Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly received 35,000 coconut seedlings and 15,000 oil palm seedlings to boost local production, enhance green cover, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
This massive investment, he noted, directly promoted agribusiness development, improved incomes, and positioned the Metropolis as an emerging hub for tree crop production in the Western Region.
The Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, in partnership with agriBIOME of Düsseldorf, Germany, is also set to introduce an innovative sustainable agriculture initiative known as “From Worm to Corn.”
The programme, he said, aimed to promote the use of earthworms and vermicompost as natural soil enhancers, helping farmers reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers while improving soil fertility, crop productivity, and environmental health.
The government’s renewed emphasis on poultry production was taking shape with 1,000 individuals already registered under the initiative.
Mr. Faidoo thanked all partners for their contributions towards agricultural development in the metropolis.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/Christian Akorlie