Cape Coast Metro Assembly Marks 33rd Farmers Day

The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly has marked the 33rd Farmers Day at Nyinasin in the Cape Coast North Constituency. The National Farmers Day is a programme marked each year on the first Friday of December to honour gallant Farmers and Fishermen.

The event acknowledges the vital position Farmers and Fishermen occupy in the nation's socio-economic development. In particular, Ghana acknowledges the untiring efforts of farmers and fishermen at feeding our growing population, providing raw materials to the nation’s industries, and contributing substantially to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

Speaking on the theme, "Farming for Food and Jobs", Hon. Ernest Arthur, the Metropolitan Chief Executive underscored government's vision to modernise and transform agriculture in order to expand the opportunities for job creation and to provide the basis for agro-processing industries.

The tenets of promoting agro-industrialisation is a key strategy that lends itself to the concept of " One District, One Factory Policy being touted by the government, the MCE explained.

According to the MCE, government intends to support the development of agribusiness, and provide tax incentives to support agro-processing packaging and increase market access to provide a boost to Ghana's agricultural sector. "My office will provide the necessary support to farmers in the metropolis to ensure that government programmes such as planting for Food and Jobs and Planting for Investments are successful".

Hon. Arthur used the occasion to appeal to the Chiefs and land owners to avail lands in their jusridiction for investments. "Nananom, Queenmothers, land owners, no meaningful development could take place in the agriculture sector without access to and provision of land", he stressed.

Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar of Dahia was adjudged the overall best farmer. The fifty (50) year old farmer won the award with 34 acres of oil palm, 9 acres of rubber plant, 4 acres of cassava, 7 acres of citrus, 6 acres each of cocoa and maize, 2 acres of cocoyam, 21 goats, 30 local birds and oil palm processing machine. Mr. John Koomson and Madam Sabina Adjei of Efutu were adjudged the 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.

The event which was well attended had Osaberima Kwesi Atta, President of Oguaa Traditional Council as Chairman. Other dignitaries present were Hon. Joel Eshun, the Presiding Member, Mr. Amoako Kwarteng, Metro Coordinating Director, Mr. Richmond Yeboah, Metro Investments Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Amoah, Metro Education Director, Mr. George Frederick Kwadwo Ayisi, husband, and representative of Hon. Barbara Asher Ayisi, Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency, Mr. Ernest Fosu, the Metro Commander of Ghana Police Service, Assembly Members, farmers and some Heads of Department and Units at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly.