The Ho West District Assembly has honoured 19 farmers for their massive contribution towards food security at the 37th Farmers Day Celebration on the theme ” Planting for Food and Jobs – Consolidating Food System in Ghana”.
In his address the District Chief Executive, Hon. Ernest Victor Apau congratulated and commended the hard working farmers of the district for contributing to the food needs of the country.
According to him, the government policies and interventions to support the Agriculture sector will encompass the full agricultural value chain and create additional businesses and job opportunities in the area of storage, transport, processing, packaging and marketing of agricultural produce which will ensure that our farmers earn higher income. He added that the Assembly has distributed free seedlings such as oil palm , citrus, coconut, cashew and afram to farmers to help end the over reliance on cocoa.
Hon Apau took the opportunity to inform the gathering of the proposed railway project that will pass through Tsibu enclave. He stated that the passage through the community will serve a useful purpose to the people of Ho West and beyond and therefore urged the cooperation of all stakeholders.
The Hon. DCE also touched on One Paramouncy One Stool Farm, One Electoral Area One Nursry and Planting for Export and Rural Development.
For his part, the District Director of Agriculture, Mr Seth Rashid Asuo expressed his appreciation to the gallant farmers for their enormous contribution towards development of the country.
He disclosed that as part of government’s effort to boost the Agriculture sector, government has supported farmers through the Planting for Food and Jobs, Rearing for Food and Jobs and Planting for Export and Rural Development interventions.
Mr. Asuo also talked on Ghana Productive Safety Net Project, Organic Farming, Out growers scheme, Collaboration with Stakehokders and Deparmental farms.
Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Member of Parliament for Ho West in a speech read on his behalf commended the farmers for their effort in providing food for the District and the country.
He stated that in as part of his effort to empower women in Agriculture his outfit has supported women groups with funds to enable them become resilient and productive. He also urged women that are into farming to form women groups to enable them have easy access to funds.
Hon. Bedzrah pledged his continues support and collaboration with the Assembly to ensure the development of Agriculture becomes a priority in the district.
Educating the public on HIV/AIDS and Covid 19, the Public Health Mrs Esi Dake Officer disclosed that AIDS is real, hence the need to create awareness and eliminate the disease by 2030 and also fast track the 95, 95, 95 agenda were 95% of people living with HIV should know their status, 95% of people living with the HIV should be on Anti Retoviral Therapy (ART) and 95% of people on the ART should be virally suppressed.
She also appeal to members who have not gone for their covid 19 jab to do so as the vaccine is safe and effective. She urged the gathering to continue observing the Covid 19 protocols such as wearing of nose masks, Social distancing, washing of hands with soap among others to stop the spread.
Mr. Godwin Ndewu from Abutia Kpota was adjudged the Overall Best Farmer. He received Tricycle, Wellington Boots, cutlass, Knapsack and Certificate. Mr. Francis Ayisah and Mr. Fred Anku, first and second runner ups also received Motor Bike and Refrigerator with other items respectively.
Other farmers also received various awards in different categories that included Best Vegetable Farmer, Best Youth Farmer, Best Crop Farmer, Best Innovative Farmer, Best Fish Farmer,ò Best Female Farmer, Best Physically Challenged Farmer, Best Livestock Farmer, Best Collaborating Farmer, Best Yam Farmer, Best Service Provider, Best Agriculture Worker, Best Group (Plantation Site) Best Collaborating Assembly Member and Best Collaborating Former Assembly Member.
The District Farmer, Mr. Godwin Ndewu on behalf of the awardee thanked government for recognising the hard work of farmers. He also admonished the youth to venture into agriculture as it has enormous benefits.
The event was graced by the District Chief Executive, District Coordinating Director, Hon Assembly Members, Chiefs and Elders, gallant farmers, Heads of Security Agencies, Staff of the Assembly, the Media Exibitors and the general public.