By J. K Nabary
Winneba (C/R), Dec. 9, GNA – Reverend Atta Mensah, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), says the government is committed to the Reset Ghana agenda to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.
Rev Mensah gave the assurance at the 41st farmer’s day celebration held at Ansaful, a community in the Effutu Municipality, where 18 industrious and hardworking farmers and fishers were celebrated for their steadfastness, unflinching loyalty and commitment to providing Ghana’s food needs.
Mr Joseph Turkson was adjudged the overall best farmer in Effutu and took home a tricycle, five cutlasses, wellington boots, knapsack sprayer and a certificate.
The first runner up, Mr Gideon Addo, received a double deck fridge, cutlass, wellington boots, knapsack sprayer and certificate as his award while Mr Ismaila Kubatti who came third had chest freezer 300L, cutlass, wellington boots, Kings sack and a certificate as his ward.
The other winners received certificates, chest freezers, cutlasses, shovels, basins, 32’ flat screen TV and double deck freezers as their prices.
Rev Mensah indicated that promoting food self-sufficiency, encouraging the consumption of locally produced food and ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for agriculture must be the collective responsibility of all.
He said the celebration was intended to inspire other Ghanaians who had not taken agriculture seriously as a profitable business to do so.
Those engaged in agriculture should also renew their commitment and with unity of purpose and innovation, advance Ghana’s agriculture transformation.
Highlighting on the theme: “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” he stated that, government under the leadership of President John Mahama, was committed to food security and self-sufficiency, and stressed the importance of good production and consumption for national development and a prosperous future.
He said the nation’s number one priority was food security on sustainable basis, and called for expansion and improved ready market opportunities for farmers to encourage them to produce more.
On the Nkoko nketenkete project, he informed the gathering that persons interested in the project should register at the Assembly to join the laudable venture to better their lots.
“There is no denying fact that agriculture is the mainstay of Ghana’s economy, contributing about 40 % of our Gross Domestic Products, (GDP) and employing over 60 percent of the nation’s working population while the agricultural sub-sector produces most of the food and meat to feed the over 34.4 million population in Ghana,” he indicated.
Mr Ebenezer Azazu, Effutu Municipal Director of Agriculture, in his address, said the contributions of farmers and fishers had been fundamental to Ghana’s economy, adding that there should be more innovations to inspire the youth to participate and strengthen the local economy.
“By choosing to eat Ghanaian food, we support the local farmers, retain financial resources within Ghana and develop the industries,” he noted.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Christian Akorlie