ESMA Celebrates 2023 National Farmer’s Day

It’s another year and as Constitution demands, first Friday in December every year is set aside in Ghana to celebrate and honour farmers and fisher-folk in the various regions and MMDA’s for their efforts in the promotion of Agriculture.

Whiles the National Grand Durbar took place at Tarkwa in the Western Region, the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal chose Nkwanta, a suburb of the Municipality as the place for this year’s farmers Day Celebration.

The event registered a great number of dignitaries, residents and farmer’s in the Municipality, signifying that, the Municipality realizes the efforts of farmers in its development and accepts the National event with enthusiasm.

Mr. Ben Leo Addah, the Municipal Agric Director, in his address said the theme chosen for this year’s celebration

” Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience”

is very essential.  He recalled that not long ago when Volta and Eastern were in crises due to the flood from the Akosombo dam which destroyed many farmlands; the country did not feel the pinch as the good measures like Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) enabled the other Regions to supply farm products to its citizens.  He added that farmers should be very cautious of the climatic change to be able to stand firm for any occurrences.

He emphasized that there is a Unit in the Agric Department known as “Women in Agricultural Development (WAD)”; he said they educate farmers about nutritional diets and activities to engage in to be able to remain strong.  He added that recently WAD sensitized farmers on the use of artificial or man-made spices and its effect on the human body.

He emphasized that most chronic sickness like stroke, hypertension, among others were gotten from the use of these spices in cooking, especially “Maggi cube”. He urged all to stay away from it and use the Natural spices when cooking. He further urged the Ghana Standard Board especially PPRS to check the use of fertilizers by farmers as there are numerous of them in the market but few are good for our land.

Mr. Ben Leo Adda further pleaded with the Municipal Assembly to support the Department with funds to enable them carry out their intended activities as the Department is now part of the Assembly under the decentralization system of Government.  He stressed that the support they were receiving from Canadian Government through MAG had elapsed and they lack funds which have made their work tedious.

The Member of parliament for the Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Bawa Brimah in his address stated that the high cost of farm inputs had made farming very expensive and that was discourage most of the farmers in the country.  He pleaded with the government to intensify his support to them to make farming lucrative.

He further urged the Government to reconsider the Common Fund given to the MMDAs.  He said the funds were too small and could not serve its intended purposes.

“On behalf of the President, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, I express gratitude to all our hardworking farmers for your immerse support to the development of the Nation; I say Ayikoo”, these were the words of the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Dr. Kingsley Osei to the farmers during the celebration.   He said sometimes farming becomes tough due to climatic change especially this year, but it did not depress the farmers to do their best; he added that they could not predict the weather but that did not discourage them, they gave their all and he was proud of them.

Hon. Dr. Kingsley Osei added that farming is dynamic due to the support from Agric Extension officers.  Also, income from Agriculture had gain value due to the processing of Agricultural products.

He said due to the support from the Government, Assembly and the Chiefs, Ware house, tractors, farmlands and cashew seedlings had been provided to support Agriculture in the Municipality and Planting for Food and Job (PFJ) is advanced, is now on phase II.

Hon. Dr. Osei stated that the Municipality was not left out in the Agenda 111.  He said two contractors had been assigned to the project and they were Emerald Property Ltd and Noble Gents and they had a meeting with the Assembly.

Nana Sarfo Kantanka Okofrobour II, Akuamuhene of Ejura Traditional Council, came in the stead of Barima Osei Hwedie II. He made mention that farming is very hard to do these days due to the unpredictable weather change and he therefore commend the farmers for their selfless sacrifice for the Municipality and the Nation as a whole. Nana warns that criminals, and all evil were not accepted in the Municipality, he stressed that Ejura accepts all but wouldn’t condone doers and ill-behaviors.

17 Prizes were awarded in total for recognized and deserving farmers. Ranging from best Youth Farmer, best aged farmer, best Physically Challenged farmer, best vegetable farmer, best female farmer, best maize farmer, best non ruminant farmer, best ruminant farmer, among others.

However, the overall best farmer of the Municipality was Mr. Joseph Adu from Drobon.  He had 70 acres of Maize, 10 acres of beans, 5 acres of cassava, 3 acres of plantain, 4 acres of cashew, 20 goats, 30 sheeps, 50 pigs, a tractor, Aboboya, among others.

The first runner-up, was given a motorcycle, a certificate of honor and other farming items. The second runner up was given a fridge, a certificate of honour and other farming items, the overall Municipal best farmer of the year, Mr. Joseph Adu was awarded a tricycle, a certificate of honor and other items.