Mr. Sebastian Obeng, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly, has reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to support implementation of government policies and programs aimed at achieving food security and sufficiency in the municipality.
He emphasized that the assembly will continue to provide logistical support to the Department of Agriculture to ensure the effective implementation of government agricultural initiatives.
This commitment was made during the 41st National Farmers Day Celebration at Surano ‘A’ in Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality.
Mr. Obeng noted that the government’s policies are designed to strengthen local food production, empower farmers, and improve livelihoods.
He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between the Assembly, Agriculture Department, and farmers for long-term success in the sector.
Mr. Obeng urged farmers to take advantage of government interventions, such as improved seedlings and mechanization services, to boost productivity and contribute to national development.
Mr. Adowa’s farm spans a diverse range of crops: 42 acres of plantain, 11 acres of cassava, 9 acres of yam, 110 acres of maize, 41 acres of rice, 4 acres of cocoyam, 7 acres of beans, 4 acres of cabbage, 18 acres of ginger and 96 acres of cocoa, cultivated across several communities in the district. In addition to crops, he keeps 46 cattle, 42 goats, 31 sheep, 240 turkeys, 811 local birds, 87 guinea fowl, 26 grass‑cutters, 18,000 catfish and 7,200 tilapia.
For his achievements, Mr. Adowa received a certificate, a tricycle popularly known as “Aboboyaa,” five pairs of Wellington boots, two knapsack sprayers, four cutlasses, two boxes of weedicides and other farm inputs. Fellow awardee Gyasi Newlove was honoured as the Municipal Best Farmer in the Bibiani‑Anhwiaso‑Bekwai Municipality and received a similar package.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Adowa thanked the District Agriculture Department and the Regional Coordinating Council for their guidance and urged the youth to pursue agriculture, citing its numerous benefits. “The work we do feeds our nation and secures our future,” he said.
Samuel Patrick Afari Acheampong, Municipal Director of Agriculture and acting Western North Regional Director of Agriculture, highlighted a shortage of agricultural extension officers as a major impediment to the sector’s progress.
He called on the government to prioritize the deployment of extension officers to the region to improve outreach, logistics and financial support for farmers.
Western North Regional Minister Petty Wilbert Brentum praised the resilience of farmers and their contribution to the local economy.
He reiterated the NDC government’s Agriculture Modernization Agenda, which includes poultry initiatives, the Agricultural Modernization Fund, mechanisation services, irrigation development, youth agribusiness projects and support for value‑addition and agro‑processing.
These programmes aim to reduce food imports, boost local production and create jobs.
Minister Brentum also lamented the damage caused by illegal mining (galamsey) to farmlands and water bodies, noting that the menace, together with climate change, has adversely affected cocoa production in the region. He called on traditional rulers to join the government in curbing the practice.
The ceremony was chaired by Okogyeman Kwaku Gyamprah III, Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Chirano Traditional Area, who commended the NDC‑led administration for its agricultural interventions and urged the youth to engage in farming, describing it as a major business opportunity today.
The celebration reinforced the message that supporting farmers and promoting locally produced food are essential steps toward economic growth, food security and sustainable development in Ghana.
By: Daniel Akwasi Nuako,Bibiani
