Africa-Press – Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama has paid a glowing tribute to the nations farmers for being the backbone of Ghana’s socio-economic growth and development.
The President paid the tribute in his address at Ghana’s 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration at Ho, in the Volta Region, on the theme: “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
Opanin Abraham Kwaku Adusei of Kwahu Afram Plains, was adjudged the Overall National Best Farmer for 2025.
The First Runner Up National Best Farmer position went to 48-year-old Mr Osumanu Kadri of the Greater Accra Region, while Mr Charles Jato, 63 years old from the Oti Region won the Second Runner up National Best Farmer.
The National Best Youth Farmer award went to Mr Reuben Asare from the Kintampo North District in the Bono East Region, while the National Best Female Farmer award was taken by Madam Grace Owusua from the Ashanti Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region.
President Mahama encouraged Ghanaians to renew their collective resolve as the nation celebrated its farmers and fisherfolk, to among others invest, eating local foods and believe in Ghana.
He urged all stakeholders to help secure the nation’s future by working together with the government, private sector and communities, for a food-secured, resilient, and prosperous nation.
President Mahama congratulated all farmers and fishers celebrating them for their achievements, and dedication, calling them “the real heroes of Ghana’s progress.”
The President said this year the government increased efforts to rebuild Ghana’s poultry sector through the Nkokoketenkente Project, which was a Household and Backyard Poultry Initiative.
He said over 13,000 farmers in 12 districts had received 720,000 birds, and that support extended to 50 thousand farmers and 500 medium-scale farmers, as well as households nationwide.
He said the government was collaborating with the private sector to establish modern poultry processing plants in different parts of the country, to ensure secure market access, enhance value addition, and create jobs.
He stated that on 27th November 2025, he broke the ground for the construction of the first of these poultry processing plants at Bechem in the Ahafo Region.
The President reiterated that to ensure scalability, coordination, and inclusivity, over 70,000 – community, commodity-focused farmers’ cooperatives representing 710,000 farmers had been registered and integrated into all the major agricultural interventions.
He noted that this cooperative model enhanced bargaining power, promoted fair pricing, and strengthened collective problem-solving.
The President said to feed Ghana, they must also eat Ghana, adding that “We cannot import what we can grow, and therefore we are promoting a strong natural culture of supporting Ghanaian rice, poultry, yam, fruits and vegetables, cooking oil, and cassava products.
He said this was essential to achieve food sovereignty and agricultural profitability, adding that building a resilient agricultural sector required climate-smart approaches, strong risk management systems and investment in research, innovation, and agro-ecological practices.
The government was therefore strengthening collaboration with its development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector to make agriculture a viable and attractive livelihood for future generations, President Mahama said.
The President extended his profound gratitude to Ghana’s development partners including IFAD, AGRA, GIZ, KFW, WFB, JICA, FDO, KOICA, AFD, AfDB, the World Bank, as well as the Governments of Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada for their invaluable support.
He also expressed gratitude to banks for supporting this year’s Farmers’ Day celebration, especially the Agricultural Development Bank, Exim Bank, and Stanbic Bank.
He also lauded farmers’ unions, researchers, and private sector partners for their contributions.
The President commended Mr Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture and his team of dedicated staff at the Ministry for their commitment to turn Ghana’s agricultural sector.
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